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fuelcut · 4 years ago

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A thought experiment on Silicon Valley’s third era

[ read the tweetstorm if you’re in a rush]

June 19th marks the end of American slavery, July 4th American Independence and July 14th the storming of the Bastille. It’s also my 40th birthday, and I’m exploring what we can learn from the past to help navigate today’s struggles for racial justice and economic freedom.

1940-1980: “Atoms” and the military-industrial-labor complex

My dad arrived in the Bay Area in 1970-1971 to get his PhD at Berkeley - just as the area was being rebranded as Silicon Valley.

Free from the stifling hierarchy of the East, the Bay was America’s center for social, technical and institutional change. Black Panthers policed the police in Oakland, shiny BART trains crossed the Bay to SF where the Gay Rights movement was flourishing. My family tree waited a millennia for India to recognize intercaste marriage. My parents would see radical social change in America across every axis in a single generation. Bold leadership in the 60s expanded civil rights and embraced immigration. They (and I) benefited greatly from an economic and social foundation that had been laid over many decades.

Caterpillar Tractor - founded in the Bay Area - embodied the spirit of this era. It went from liberating France in WW2 to building a massive middle class, unionized labor force. Cat later moved its headquarters to Peoria, Illinois - because in this era, cities across the country - not just the coasts - had the ability to compete. Since WW2, America pursued an intentional strategy of geographically broad-based economic development - via highways, airline regulation and distributed national labs.

Caterpillar didn’t just give Peoria a chance, it also gave my dad a chance to put down roots in America by sponsoring his green card. There was no H1B limbo. The nexus of military, industry and labor unions brought immigrants, Women and Blacks into the workforce - with paid apprenticeships (not exorbitant higher education) and technically-focused community colleges paving the way for millions. My mom learned COBOL while her toddlers played in the back of class. Even Hunter’s Point in SF was vibrant during much of this period. (Of course, it was far from a halcyon era - the war machine had massive human cost globally and civil rights were far from evenly enforced in America.)

And while atoms reigned supreme during this era, the military and government patiently invested risk capital in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and software/networking to prepare America for its future.

1980-2020: “Bits” and global capital, jackrocks and polarization

In 1980, Reagan was elected President - and I was born. This would also be the peak of private sector labor employment in the US and the beginning of global capital (and the multinational companies they backed) as the leading force in forging the social contract.

They promised us that countries with McDonald’s would never go to war with each other. Indeed the Berlin Wall fell, Asian laborers got jobs and Americans could buy cheap stuff at WalMart. Global capital (bits) put atoms inside shipping containers and sent them around the world - abstracting consumers from the manufacturing base.

The writing was on the wall for unions.

As a middle schooler, I saw Cat management and labor (UAW) locked into a multi-year strike over the future. The front line was not in a boardroom or on the picket line. It was neighborhoods, schools and community groups. I remember when a classmate whose dad was in the union talked about how folks in the factory were peeing on effigies of management - including my dad.

Naturally I knew which side I was on. Cat needed wage concessions and freedom to operate to be globally competitive. I’d read Akio Morita, TPS and Lee Iacocca. I worried about Japan Inc. eating our lunch (yes as a 12 year old!) UAW workers and families were much more grounded. They needed a livelihood and wanted certainty for their future.

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War continued to wage into high school. We came home one day to find “jackrocks” outside of our driveway - a tool used in feudal Japan to thwart the advancing armies - horses, chariots - etc. of those in power. In <60 years, Caterpillar had gone from transforming America’s agrarian society to becoming the enemy of American workers. We had the GOP’s Contract with America (stored in my Trapper Keeper) and Clinton signing NAFTA within a couple years. Both parties supported global capital and global capital supported both parties. Maybe jackrocks worked better than voting?

Corporate America soon figured out that if your workers were in China, Mexico or the South, it’s harder for them to stick jack rocks in your driveway. If your kids go to private school or you live in a quasi-private suburb, they’ll be insulated from the wrath of the have-nots in heavily policed, declining urban centers. No peeing on your effigy or having your kid hear about it!

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After college, I became an analyst at Bain & Company. Once an auto parts company hired us to do a “portfolio review”. I meticulously compared the costs of building mirrors in Eastern Michigan or Malaysia - creating a zero defect Excel model. Guess which location won? The auto parts company - like Cat - had the freedom to choose where to put jobs.

But what freedom did the workers have? Marie Antoinette once said “let them eat cake”. The elites of our era now say “let them move”. Social capital is critical for folks navigating change. The educated elite take the portability of social capital (embedded in college degrees and iMessage threads) as a given.

But place and social capital are deeply intertwined especially if you’re poor or a minority. While the deep introspection elites once had during 2016 has now been paved over by new crises, we should never forget that there’s a cost to society of losing its manufacturing base and jobs. How do you model the costs of broken families, drug addiction and a polarized electorate in Excel?

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I grew disillusioned with management by spreadsheet. But I saw a bright spot on the horizon: tech. I remember opening my first iPod, getting 1000 songs in my pocket and believing that America had a shot at leading a new generation of consumer electronics when everyone a decade earlier had written us off in favor of the Japanese. Perhaps tech could bring jobs and prosperity back to the country? I wanted to be part of it.

So I moved to the Valley in 2004 and joined a VC fund. I saw how the VC funding model that Silicon Valley was built on incentivizes high-risk, high-leverage and massive-scale. It encourages companies to cherry-pick top-end talent (immigrants, marquee college grads) to build the differentiated bits. Pick the highest leverage point in the stack, outsource everything else - by building in China and/or pushing the last-mile to an ecosystem that you can control at arms length.

Tech companies could more than pay back the largely fixed costs of software / semiconductor design from the large and homogenous American market. This dynamic attracted massive amounts of private risk capital and enabled aggressive expansion abroad. This model didn’t work for everything (I got burned with cleantech) - but it worked amazingly well for broad swaths of enterprise software, consumer services and marketplaces. I saw how tech could be an incredible lever for wealth creation. But every visit back home to the Rust Belt made me wonder - wealth creation for whom?

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2020+ - A thought experiment on institutional innovation and putting people first

July 14, 2020 - Q2 Earnings - CEO, MEGA TECH CORP - Hi everyone. These aren’t normal times. We’re not going to talk about our 10Q on this call. We’re here to talk about the next 10 years. So if you’re here for DAUs, ARR or CPC, you can drop off now. 

We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the race, health and economic crises our country faces. Over the last few weeks, I’ve asked our exec team to leave their homes, their Zoom calls, their DoorDash deliveries - to join protests and explore our community through new eyes.

Race & Place: On Juneteenth, we biked from Sheraton Place to Hunters Point to Tanforan. We saw the real life impact of redlining, mass incarceration of Blacks and the lack of jobs from decades ago - and how our headquarters sustain - rather than disrupt - the region’s policies of de facto segregation. We also remembered how political demagogues once imprisoned our neighbors of Japanese descent. We see today how their rhetoric affects our Black neighbors and colleagues. What might it do tomorrow to folks without legal status in ag/service industries that California depends or the H1Bs we depend on? What does diversity & inclusion mean in this context?

Jobs: The next Friday we biked from SRI to PARC to Sunnyvale and Moffett Field. Our industry once dreamed of a bicycle for the mind and embraced technical education and apprenticeship as a path in the door for Women and Blacks. Meanwhile we’ve pushed vast swaths of work to contractors or platform-mediated transactions - making it harder to use up-skilling as a talent lever like manufacturing employers did in the last era. What’s the impact on income mobility? At what point will 40 million unemployed Americans affect our share prices and the stability of society?

Climate: On Independence Day, we biked on the Bay Trail past landfills, superfund sites and the 101 - alongside poor and minority neighborhoods with terrible health outcomes. We talked about the Bay Area weather forecast for 2060 “fire with a chance of flooding”. We passed abandoned railways and dreams of regional transport - the result of which is folks commuting hours each way from the central valley to work service jobs in our campuses. We wondered about the long run political consequences of isolating our employee base inside the WiFi confines of a private bus network. Where is the voting base to drive institutional change? How many axles or tires will our commuter buses need to keep them safe from jackrocks on the 101?

Health: Last week, we rode from the old Permanente cement quarry to 101 (built by the same cement workers.) We talked about how Kaiser - a private employer of low-skilled workers - internalized their healthcare needs, pursued disruptive innovation and faced fierce clashes with the medical establishment. We thought about how COVID is exposing the brittleness of our employee’s isolation inside a private insurance bubble. No one can be healthy in a pandemic without competent public health infrastructure. Meanwhile, the growing cost of private healthcare makes it harder for tech - let alone the rest of the country - to employ American workers across the wage spectrum - exacerbating job loss and instability.

And as we spoke with others, we saw how the issues that Silicon Valley faces are not unique to one metropolitan area or one industry. It just happens to be the ultimate archetype of Global Capitalism and de facto segregated American metros.

What we now see - more clearly than ever - is that our entire company, our entire industry, our entire Valley - is built on a flawed foundation.

We can no longer just focus on the magical software bits and hope someone else figures out racial equity, employment, climate and health. This is Joel Spolsky’s Law of Leaky Abstractions on the ultimate scale. The abstractions are failing - and we’re seeing bugs and unintended consequences all around us. And the more we invest to deal with one-off bugs, the more likely we are to calcify change and imprison ourselves inside a failing stack.

It’s like we decided to build the world’s notification service on Ruby on Rails - or building an iPhone competitor on Windows CE. Fail Whale everywhere. Unfortunately, America’s democratic institutions are in poor condition. They are struggling to deal with inequality let alone looming environmental disaster. A polarized electorate - particularly at the national level - leads to populism and makes it hard for these institutions to execute meaningful, long-term plans.

We talk a lot about speech, misinformation, fairness of targeted ads etc. But it’s becoming clear that UX, linear algebra/training data and monetization in our products is just the tip of the spear to address polarization. We believe polarization is a product of the underlying conditions of civil rights, education, health and climate debt that affect Americans differentially based on race, wealth, neighborhood and region. e.g. If we care about justice, how far does focusing on the fairness of employment ads get us in a world when many people lack the skills and negotiating power to secure a living wage?

So will today’s peaceful protests for racial justice expand into tomorrow’s revolution(s) for economic freedom? If you don’t think things are bad now, think about what happens when the stimulus checks run out. Take a look at the amount of debt in the public sector, use any imagination about COVID, work out what happens to their tax base / pension returns and consider the impact on public services, public servants and their votes. MMT better be a real thing. Maybe we didn’t start these fires, but that refrain won’t save us when the flames come our way.

We’re done debating why we need to act. It’s clear America needs our help. Let’s talk about how we’re going to rise to the occasion. Our mantra will be “internalize, innovate, institutionalize”.

First, we’re going to internalize our problems. I’m here to tell you that issues of racial and economic justice are not just moral issues but they’re financial issues. Racial debt, education debt, health debt, climate debt will hit us harder and harder each year. (By the way, revolution probably won’t be great for your DCF models.) So we’re going to recognize these off-balance sheet liabilities - which amount to a few hundred billion in the US alone over the next 10 years for a company at our scale.

Second, we’re going to innovate against these systemic problems - but our only shot at making progress is if we realign the entire company’s mission to address them. This is not about optics. This is not about philanthropy. This is not another bet. We’re putting all our chips behind one bet - America. It's the country that backed us in the first place, it's where most of our people are and most of our profits. The job for our existing products, platforms and cash flows will be to advance four areas: place / race, skilling / manufacturing, health / food and climate / mobility - starting in America. The board will measure me based on job creation and diversity. It should go without saying that we’re pausing dividends and buybacks for the foreseeable future. Every dollar will serve our mission. Every senior leader will need to sign up for our new mission - and those who choose to stay will receive a new, back-end loaded, 10 year vesting schedule. We want them focused on the long-term health of society - not the whims of Robinhood day traders or strengthening the moats of existing products. We will need to invent entirely new ways to operate and ship products. As Joel Spolsky said, “when you need to hire a programmer to do mostly VB programming, it’s not good enough to hire a VB programmer, because they will get completely stuck in tar every time the VB abstraction leaks”. We need engineers, designers and product managers that will look deep into the stack, confront the racial, job access, health and climate debts that our products, our companies and our communities are built on top of. This is not about CYA process to protect cash cows or throwing things over the fence to policy. We will need to innovate across technical, cultural and organizational lines. This requires deep understanding and curiosity. This will bring more scrutiny to our company - not less. Not everyone’s going to be on board - so for the next 12 months, we’re giving folks a one-time buyout if they want to leave.

Third, we can’t do any of this by ourselves. The problems are too big. Our role will be to provide enlightened risk capital (from our balance sheet or by re-vectoring operating spend) alongside R&D, product, platform leverage to help leaders and innovators pursue solutions in these areas. Of course we will work with our peers and the public sector wherever possible - buying/R&D consortia, public-private partnerships, trusts, etc. But the new era and landscape demands that we explore institutional models beyond global capital/startups, labor unions, NGOs or government. We need models that can more flexibly align people and purpose, that innovate on individualized vs. socialized risk/reward - and that ultimately help build and sustain local, social capital. It’s difficult to say what these will look like - but increasingly figuring this out will be existential for our core business too. Right now, it doesn’t matter if you’re designing the best cameras in Cupertino or the best way to see their snaps in Santa Monica - we’re all just building layers of an attention stack for global capital. Our Beijing competitors have figured this out. ByteDance is already eating our lunch. They’re using the same tech inputs as us - UX, ML and large-scale systems - which are now a commodity - but with vastly lower consequences for the content they show - creating a superior operating / scaling model. They’re not internalizing social or political cost.   What we need in this era is the accumulation stack - where each interaction builds social capital. This is not about global likes. This is about local respect. We’ll create competitive advantage when we build products that reach across race / economic lines to harness America’s amazing melting pot and do so in ways that build livelihoods / property rights for creators and stakeholders.

With this operating model in place, we’re committing to fundamental change in four areas:

Place & Race - We’re done with de facto segregation. Over the next 10 years, 100% of our jobs will be in diverse communities that embrace inclusive schooling, policing, housing and transit policies. (Starting tomorrow, we’re putting red lines on our maps around towns with exclusionary zoning.) This is not about privatizing cities or an HQ2-style play to extract concessions. This is about investing our risk capital and our reputation to innovate alongside government. How do we bring world-class education to neighborhoods with concentrated poverty? What is the future of digital/hybrid charter schooling? Unbundled, community-driven public safety? We’ll embrace “remote-first” as a means to this end. The Bay will become one physical node alongside others (e.g. Atlanta, DC, LA) creating an Interstate Knowledge System that develops diverse talent across the country. We’re going to coordinate our investment with leading peers - since after all, this isn’t about cost savings or cherry-picking. It’s about broadening our country’s economic base.

Skilling & Manufacturing - We will 10x the tech talent pool in 10 years - by inventing new apprenticeship models that bring women, minorities and the poor into the workforce. We’ll start with our existing contractor base, convert them to new employment models with expanded benefits and paths for upward mobility. Next, we will invent new productivity tools for all types of workers - from the front office to mobile work to call center - that brings the power of AI and programming to everyone. These will be deeply tied into new platforms for work designed from the bottom-up to build social and financial capital for individual workers and teams. Last, we’re going to manufacture most of our hardware products - from silicon all the way to systems - entirely in the US within 10 years. This will require massive investment, collaboration and innovation. It may require a revolution in robotics - but we will pursue this in a way that makes the American worker competitive - not a commodity to be automated away. If we’re successful, the dividends of our investment here will have massive spillover benefits to every other sector of manufacturing in the US - autos, etc. - including ones we have yet to dream up.

Health & Food - We’re not going to tolerate a two-class system for healthcare anymore. As we convert our contract workforce to new employment models, we’re going to have to innovate on the fundamental quality/cost paradigm across our benefit stack. This may feel like a step down but it will put us (and the rest of society if we’re successful) on a fundamentally better long-term trajectory. Food is part of Health, and we’re going to innovate there too. Free food for employees is not going to come back post-COVID. Instead, we’ll use our food infrastructure to bootstrap cooperatively-owned cloud kitchens. We’ll provide capital to former contractors - mostly Black and Hispanic - to invest and own these. We’ll build platforms to help them sell food to employees (partly subsidized), participate in new “food for health” programs and eventually disrupt the extractive labor practices we see across food, grocery and delivery.

Climate & Mobility - Lastly, we’ll be imposing a carbon tax on all aspects of our own operations - which we’ll use to “fund” innovation in this space - with a primary focus on job creation. This is an area where we’re going to be looking far beyond our four walls from the beginning. As a first step, we’re teaming up with Elon and Gavin Newsom to buy PG&E out of bankruptcy and restructure it as a 21st century “decentralized” utility. It will accelerate the electrification of mobility - financing networked batteries for buses, cars and bikes along with charging infrastructure - and leading a massive job creation program focused on energy efficiency. Speaking of mobility, private buses aren’t coming back after COVID. Instead, we’re teaming up with all of our peers to create a Bay-wide network of electric buses (with bundled e-bikes) that will service folks of all walks of life - including our own employee base. Oh and one more thing - we’re bringing together the world’s most advanced privacy/identity architecture and computational video/audio to bake public health infrastructure directly into the buses. For COVID and beyond. None of this is a substitute for competent, democratically accountable regional authorities. This is us investing risk capital on behalf of society - with the goal of empowering these authorities. Yes the New York Times will have a field day with this. Maybe in time they’ll leave their bubble, enter the real world, see the sorry state of their institutions - the behavioral health and infrastructure crises on their crumbling streets - and get on board. Until then, our job is to be patient longer than they can be inflammatory.

Open technology for global progress - While we have to prioritize America given the scale of problems, the intent is not to abandon the rest of the world or hold back it’s progress. We feel the opposite - that over the coming decades each country’s technology sectors will thrive. To get there, we will continue to invest patiently - hiring, training, partnering, investing and innovating - but with a clear north star to help each country develop local leaders in new areas. Long-term, we’ll continue to contribute open technology that others can build upon.

America should be the proverbial city on a hill for everyone - not a metaverse for the rich with the poor dying in the streets. We don’t have much time so we’re getting to work now. See you next quarter.

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This call may be imaginary but none of this is sci-fi or requires MMT. What it requires is us to care. To act. Join me on bike rides to explore our past and discuss what tangible actions Silicon Valley’s leading companies can take in the coming quarters and years. Logistics here for rides on June 19, June 26, July 2 and July 10!

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heightkeener · 4 years ago

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Your Personal Guide to Hawaii and Things to Do

HAWAII VACATION IN JANUARY

The Hula Bowl maybe your faculty Allstar football match. This can be the opportunity to observe the greatest players play with their final playoff match. The NFL Pro Bowl brings with all of the top-rated expert football gamers to get head to head contests. Held in the well-known Banzai Pipeline around Ehukai Beach Park, body-board surfers from across the globe have come to flaunt their own talents. It is interesting to its loving followers and anybody who loves good external contest.

Annually close to, January 2-1 you may delight in this yearlong party of early Aztec sports contests. It has traditional music, games, hula dance, arts & crafts, and crafts.

If you're planning a trip to Hawaii in January, listed below are a couple annual regional events for you to think about contributing to your own itinerary.

For More than Five Decades, Honolulu has repeatedly held that the Narcissus Festival. From mid-January, its own aim is always to conserve and encourage culture and customs. Honolulu's China Town jumps with parties like conventional lion dances dance at the roads. There's that the Narcissus Queen Pageant, Coronation Ball, China Town Open-house, Folks dances plus a Style Show.

Late January is the beginning of Honolulu's Cherry Blossom Festival, among the longest-running cultural parties Within the Country of Hawaii. Lasting via March there is certainly far to watch. Some high lights would be japan tea service, Heritage honest in the Western Center of Hawaiiblossom arranging demonstrations.

BEST THINGS FOR FAMILIES TO DO IN HAWAII

On every one of those islands, you'll find lots of pursuits and experiences for you and your family members to have.

Kauai is just among the better islands to see in the event that you're planning a trip into Hawaii together with kiddies. However, the island of Kauai, kiddies are recognized and welcomed since the culture and tradition of Kauai facilities round ohana or loved ones.

Some matters you and your Family Members can perform collectively around the island of Kauai are:

Crafts and ethnic tasks usually sold in the hotels of Kauai.

FISH-ing

Beach Front matches

Naturel walks

Browsing Classes

Sand sculpture competitions

Coco-Nut frond weaving

Tide-pool researching

Excursions

The island of Kauai additionally includes two amazing museums for kiddies. Even the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum at Kapaa includes lots of interactive displays which individuals may relish as well as also the Starlight Planetarium that informs the way Egyptian voyagers utilized the celebrities, winds, and sea to browse their own canoes across the Pacific. This system occurs on Saturdays.

Oahu additionally includes a few amazing family experiences out there.

Submarine rides that take one by underwater boats, airliners and reef constructions.

House to Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park

sea-life Park at which you are able to match swimmers, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and moray eels.

The island of Molokai has a special picture to provide family members. Molokai is ideal for your household who likes to learn more about the spacious jungle, explore tide pools and cruising across fauna shores. You may also rope cows in the actual island ranch which makes the own home on Molokai.

Molokai can also be ideal for budding astrologers because its cloudless evenings make it possible for one to observe the constellations absolutely!

Lanai could be your least crowded of each of the Hawaiian islands helping to make it popular with families such as basic safety. There continue to be a lot of matters for households to perform the island of Lanai.

Investigate the whole 141-square shuttle in the world by 4X4.

View the dolphins and humpback whales which play with

Create a lei

Discover how to hula dancing.

Though Maui has turned into really the hottest island for honeymooners you'll find lots of matters for family members to accomplish.

Research a bamboo woods and search for infrequent tropical

Hiking

Volcano researching

Glass-bottom vessel rides

The Maui Ocean Center features a 750,000-gallon open-ocean tank along with walkthrough glass tubing

The hotels of Maui additionally offer you lots of tasks to his or her younger company.

That really is actually the biggest of Hawaii's islands also it has got the most significant spouse and children. Family adopts family members and you can find a number of intriguing matters for people to perform with all the Big Island of Hawaii.

Research the Kona shore which boasts jungle such as lava plains

House towards the rainiest town in the USA -- hi-lo

Investigate the planet's greatest mountain, Mauna Kea that will be 13,796 ft. above sea level.

See the volcano

View black lava stone

The huge island now offers camping for many families who appreciate the outside so that they wish to maneuver too!

No matter your loved one loves undertaking, you are going to have the ability to detect it using 1, or even some, of those Hawaiian Islands.

HAWAII GUIDE

Honolulu is currently among the absolute most well-known locations in Hawaii and it is just a big town, is found in the front end of Waikiki. The most important tourist destination popular places in Honolulu would be the Caribbean area - that the Pacific location's chief economic and company center, also Waikiki, one's core of Honolulu. Waikiki is popularly famous because of the narrow coastal shore region, that has turned into one among earth's most prominent shores, lined with lots of exceptional stores, lodging, and restaurants.

Dominated by the imposing Diamond Head volcano, and it's currently extinct, Honolulu is popularly famous because of the tropical scenery, palm-trees, refuge, neighboring islands and also the Mamala Bay, by which a selection of watersports will be available in the offer you.

Honolulu journey:

Having huge people and most dispersing metropolitan locations, site visitors in Honolulu could come to be busy, especially because of this bunch of oneway roads. Additionally, there really are a lot of vehicle parts and also on-street parking spots within fundamental Honolulu, and automobile leasing is extensively offered. Leasing a vehicle in Honolulu is still perhaps one of the handiest tactics to learn more about the island of Oahu, but some other favorite techniques of transportation comprise buses, coaches, taxis and possibly even bikes.

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) stands approximately 4 kilometers / 6 kilometers in the middle of this metropolis and has been a significant transport hub. Most travelers arrive every day in Honolulu airport terminal from southern America, London along with different neighboring Islands. Together with 3 terminals and also a wide selection of amenities, the airport is no more than a brief excursion from fundamental Honolulu, using numerous hotels near.

Hotel premiums at Honolulu in many cases are substantial, even though an assortment of price range options usually exists, specifically bed and breakfast lodging, and that is typically well offered. The Youth Hostel at Honolulu presents exceptionally cheap rooms also has been consistently popular with funding travelers going to the town.

On the other end of this climb, Honolulu houses a wealth of luxurious motels, frequently using only magnificent coastal perspectives along with suitable destinations. A number of Honolulu's initial motels are one of the very best on earth.

Honolulu Tourism:

attractions in Honolulu are all excellent and besides your countless stretches of golden sands, you will find lots of what to visit, which makes Honolulu that the perfect getaway location. Facilities comprise monuments and landmarks, historic monuments, modern galleries, cinema sights, and also a wide assortment of leisure pursuits.

Honolulu eateries:

there's an unbelievable array of pubs and eateries through the duration of Honolulu, representing the cultural communities along with sailors. Start looking for your restaurants at which individuals in Honolulu opt to try to eat, like those throughout the college of Hawaii in Manoa, in which you may locate various cheap food and cafes retailers. In addition, the food court at the Ala Moana Center is specially properly stocked.

Honolulu weather conditions:

the current weather Honolulu may differ just marginally throughout the calendar year, together with continual temperatures hitting 70s and 80s. Honolulu includes two chief seasons - April into November, and it is marginally warmer compared to the span December to March. The neighboring ocean stays warm over summer and winter and can be just one of Honolulu's primary points of interest.

#Travel

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tonyjones2222 · 4 years ago

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POLITICO

MAGAZINE

THE AGENDA

PRO

2020 ELECTIONS

‘She had no remorse’: Why Kamala Harris isn't a lock for VP

No one disputes she's the frontrunner to be Biden's No. 2. But there are lingering doubts, primarily over the issue of trust.

Sen. Kamala Harris, a California senator who has built a national following as a leading combatant against the Trump administration, has been seen as a likely Biden VP nominee even before he started running. | Scott Olson/Getty Images

By NATASHA KORECKI, CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO and MARC CAPUTO

07/27/2020 04:30 AM EDT

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When former Sen. Chris Dodd, a member of Joe Biden’s vice presidential search committee, recently asked Kamala Harris about her ambush on Biden in the first Democratic debate, Dodd was stunned by her response.

“She laughed and said, ��that’s politics.’ She had no remorse,” Dodd told a longtime Biden supporter and donor, who relayed the exchange to POLITICO on condition of anonymity.

“Dodd felt it was a gimmick, that it was cheap,” the donor said. The person added that Dodd’s concerns about Harris were so deep that he's helped elevate California Rep. Karen Bass during the vetting process, urging Biden to pick her because “she’s a loyal No. 2. And that’s what Biden really wants.” Through an aide, Dodd declined to comment. Advisers to Harris also declined to comment.

Harris, a California senator who has built a national following as a leading combatant against the Trump administration, has been seen as a likely Biden VP even before he started running. More than a year later, despite a campaign that didn’t even make it to the first nominating contests, Harris still appears to be in the pole position for the post: Interviews with more than four dozen elected officials, strategists, former Biden advisers and plugged-in donors said they think Harris is the closest Biden has to a “do no harm” option.

Kamala Harris is the one to beat in Biden's veepstakes

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And people in three other competing camps privately said that while their candidates have a shot for VP, Harris is more likely to get the nod.

Yet with Biden set to make his decision as soon as the beginning of August, there are still hang-ups over Harris — largely over the matter of trust.

Former high-ranking Democratic Party officials and elected officials have expressed concerns about her to the vetting committee in recent weeks, according to four sources who've spoken to the Biden vetting team.

The interviews for this article revealed a contingent of Democrats who are lobbying against Harris for VP — some privately, some openly. Several California Democrats who spoke to Biden's vetting team have shared glowing reviews of Bass, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and a former state Assembly speaker. Others touted Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who earned a Purple Heart in combat, and former national security adviser Susan Rice, whom they came to know though her connections to Stanford University in the Bay Area.

“I don’t think Kamala Harris has it in the bag,” said former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), reacting to the dozens of Democrats who believe Harris is the likely pick. Reid, who speaks frequently with Dodd, met with Harris recently and said he thinks highly of her.

POLITICO DISPATCH:JULY 27

Eleven candidates. One running mate. Dispatch is spending three days with POLITICO campaign reporters to look at Joe Biden's top choices for vice president.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe on Google Podcasts

It’s difficult to overstate the bad blood that flowed between the Harris and Biden campaigns immediately after that June 2019 debate. Harris opened her attack on Biden by saying, “I know you’re not a racist.” She then accused Biden of giving segregationist senators a pass and opposing a federal busing program in the 1970s that integrated schools she attended as a child. “That little girl was me,” she said.

The campaign quickly branded the phrase on T-shirts and boasted about its preparations for what became Harris’ big moment. Eventually, however, Biden gained the upper hand when Harris admitted she had essentially the same view on busing as he did.

A contingent of Bay Area donors has publicly endorsed Duckworth, snubbing their home-state senator. They include Susie Buell, who was early to endorse Harris’ presidential run but drifted from her campaign to also back Pete Buttigieg in the primary, and attorney Joe Cotchett, a Biden loyalist who was a major fundraiser for Barack Obama.

Both Buell and Cotchett lauded Duckworth’s war-hero status. Cotchett said in an interview that he feared Harris’ time as a prosecutor would end up harming the ticket. While Buell supports Duckworth, she said she didn’t necessarily have reservations about Harris and trusted Biden to make the best choice.

While some of Harris' detractors say they’re still concerned about her record as California attorney general, others who interacted with her earlier in her career told the Biden team they're wary of how she would conduct herself as a No. 2.

Still, others have raised concerns about Harris’ presidential campaign itself, which launched with great promise before 22,000 people, but steadily lost ground. Harris dropped out a month before the Iowa caucuses.

“Look for someone who does no harm,” former California Democratic Party Chair John Burton said he told Dodd. Burton said he worried President Donald Trump and GOP allies would weaponize Harris’ clash with Biden on the debate stage over race.

Running-mate rundown: Tracking Joe Biden's VP pick | Illustration by Megan McCrink/POLITICO

Despite those question marks, there are compelling reasons why Harris hasn't budged from the top of Biden VP lists.

No other contender matches her experience as someone who was elected three times statewide in the largest state in the nation and has gone through the wringer of a presidential campaign. As the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, she would be a historic selection.

Her prosecutorial chops inspire confidence that she would hold her own, and then some, against Vice President Mike Pence in a debate. She was close with Biden’s late son Beau, a fact that might help offset lingering doubts about the busing attack.

One former Biden adviser described Harris as “Tier 1," while "everyone else is Tier 1B.” The person added, “All of those other people, they have the challenge of the Harris bar — it is just so high. She checks everything that’s so important to him.”

Doug Herman, a Democratic strategist in Los Angeles who headed a pro-Harris super PAC when she ran for Senate in 2016, said "it'd be hard to bet against" Harris.

“There may be some drawbacks from what transpired in the debates, but she makes a strong addition to the ticket,” he said. “The flip of this is that historically it’s the dark-horse candidates who have ended up getting picked, and folks don’t see it coming because they are focused on the odds-on favorite.”

Reid said Biden has not made up his mind. Harris, he said, is among a group of women who remain under consideration, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Though Harris does not have the VP position locked up, Reid said Biden is “too much of a gentleman” to hold the debate incident against her.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris greet each other at a Democratic presidential debate on July 31, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. | Scott Olson/Getty Images

Harris declined an interview request about the search, as she has throughout the VP process. But her allies have been trying to convey to Biden's team and publicly that beyond her own appeal, she could be a trusted partner. They point to the scores of endorsements she landed from current home-state officials.

“She is somebody who has always loved to campaign and work on behalf of other people—going back to her earliest campaigning for state Sen. Barack Obama. She’s often more comfortable talking up others rather than herself,” said Brian Brokaw, a Democratic strategist who managed Harris’ runs for state attorney general.

Democratic strategist Karen Finney said Harris holds an advantage after having already built a national profile by running for president.

“The reality is you have a short period of time and you're trying to win the election,” Finney said of Harris’ edge over others. “How you do it is also challenging, given the Covid reality. You’re not able to do the big rally" to introduce a new face to the nation.

Carla Marinucci contributed to this report.

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Beneath Hong Kong’s modern skyscrapers lies a surprisingly kid-friendly destination. The city holds tremendous sentimental value as our former home and my daughter’s birthplace. We return every year because the list of things to do in Hong Kong with kids is expansive — even if you don’t factor in Hong Kong Disneyland® (which is our family’s favorite Disney® park in the world).

The neat thing about Hong Kong is that you can experience something new every time you visit. For such a tiny destination, it really packs a punch. This list is focused on activities that one can practically experience on a typical Hong Kong family vacation.

Getting Discounted Tickets for Hong Kong Attractions

It’s become much easier to buy tickets for Hong Kong attractions in advance, which you absolutely should do. I’ve noted where this is possible, and in most cases, it’s via Klook, an enormous tour operator in Asia. You’ll usually save a little money and skip queues by entering with their mobile or printed tickets.

You may also want to consider the Hong Kong Pass. This sightseeing pass is for active travelers who would like to see multiple attractions in a day.

The Best Things to Do in Hong Kong with Kids

You may also want to consider the Hong Kong Pass. This sightseeing pass is for active travelers who would like to see multiple attractions in a day.

1. Hong Kong Disneyland

We’ve been to every Disneyland in the world, and Hong Kong Disneyland is by far our favorite. I’m a fan of experiencing Disney in other cultures because the food and other aspects are different. While there can be lines, they are typically shorter here than at any other Disney park we’ve been to.

Songs on rides like “it’s a small world” are sung in English, though instructions around the park are typically given in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

Of the major roller coasters, Hyperspace Mountain (more or less Space Mountain for those familiar with Disneyland in Anaheim) is the only one represented here. Do not miss the Iron Man Experience, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Mystic Manor, and the new Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle.

Definitely, buy your tickets in advance online and print them before you go so you can avoid the lines at the ticket booths. Options include:

Discounted Hong Kong Disneyland tickets on Klook (QR code mobile entry)

Hong Kong Disneyland hotel or other luxury hotel concierge

The Hong Kong Disneyland app

If you’re short on time, a half-day visit to Hong Kong Disneyland is still worth it. If you’re coming during the summer months and would like to skip the lines, think about booking a 3-hour Disneyland VIP Tour. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (there is one in the park now, too), Hong Kong Disneyland character dining, and Disney dim sum all take place at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, which is a quick shuttle bus away from the theme park. However, know that you need to reserve these experiences in advance.

Though it’s the smaller relative to other Disney parks, Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the best things to do in Hong Kong with kids. Check out my tips for visiting Hong Kong Disneyland in the summer.

Neighborhood: Lantau Island

How to get there: There are local and cross-boundary buses that travel to and from the park, taxis regularly drop off and pick up visitors, and you can also reach the park via MTR by boarding the Disneyland Resort Line at Sunny Bay Station.

Activity: Theme Park

Cost: Standard park tickets start at HK$639. There are special packages available, and you can often get discounted tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland on Klook.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (verify on the day you plan to visit)

Ages: All Ages

2. Ocean Park Hong Kong

Sea-themed Ocean Park Hong Kong is on the south side of Hong Kong island. Some prefer this park to Hong Kong Disneyland because it’s unique with fewer crowds and more opportunities for animal encounters (check the schedule). We have participated in the Honorary Panda Keeper program twice and it’s a wonderful experience.

The park is divided into two parts — a lower level and upper level — connected by a sky tram that provides some of the best views of this part of Hong Kong Island. Note that the sky tram is a bit hairy on windy days. A submarine-themed train barrels through the mountain to the other side, too. The lines are usually shorter if you take the train up to the upper level and the cable car down.

The Waterfront (lower area) near the entrance has the pandas, a huge aquarium, and a playground for younger kids. The Summit (upper area) has rides for older kids, the sea lions (which you can toss fish to at designated times), the main show area, and other attractions.

Tip: Ocean Park is doable with just a half-day commitment if you’re short on time. Also, buy tickets in advance to avoid lines which have been long lately at the park. Klook has discounted Ocean Park tickets.

Neighborhood: Wong Chuk Hang

How to get there: Ocean Park is accessible by car, bus, taxi, and the MTR (it’s one stop on the South Island Line from the Admiralty station).

Activity: Theme Park and Aquarium

Cost: Checking Klook for discounted tickets, but on the Ocean Park website, basic adult admission starts at HK$480 and admission for kids 11 and under is HK$240. You can pay for Ocean FasTrack if you want priority accesses for designated rides and attractions.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ages: All Ages

3. Ride the Star Ferry Hong Kong

Definitely take the 6-12 minute ride (length depends on the time of day) from Central to Kowloon on the historic Star Ferry when visiting Hong Kong with kids.

The Star Ferry Hong Kong is a historical American-football-shaped boat that journeys from Central to Kowloon or Wan Chai to Kowloon in just a few minutes. It also goes to the Hong Kong Disneyland hotel once per day.

Depending on how far you have to walk to the ferry terminals, it can be faster to take the Star Ferry Hong Kong to Kowloon than the MTR.

Try to sit on the upper deck to avoid inhaling coal fumes that trap themselves on the lower level. It costs a few extra cents, but I believe it’s worth it. There is no need to check the schedule (unless you need to ride it very early in the morning or late at night) because the ferries run frequently.

You can also book a short Star Ferry tour around Victoria Harbour during the day or at night. If you only plan to ride the ferry once, I recommend departing from the Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon side in the evening. You’ll get a beautiful view of the Hong Kong skyline and you’ll have a great view of the ICC and Symphony of Lights evening light shows.

Neighborhood: Central / Wan Chai / Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

How to get there: To get to the Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui Pier, exit the MTR at the L6 exit. To get to the Central Pier, exit the MTR at the A2 exit or Exit A.

Activity: Scenic Boat Ride

Cost: Tickets start at HK$2.20 per adult per ride in the ferry’s lower deck or HK$2.70 to sit on the upper deck. Use an Octopus Card or purchase admission in the machines near the entrance gates.

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Ages: All Ages

4. Shop the Toy Streets and Other Markets

Fuk Wing Street toy street in Sham Shui Po

Yes, there are streets in Hong Kong dedicated entirely to toys. Since we are always in Hong Kong near my daughter’s birthday, these streets are where we load up on party favors.

At Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, there are cheap dolls, balls, gadgets, and school supplies that you can buy individually or in bulk. It’s a nice stop if you’re shopping the other markets in Sham Shui Po anyway. Take Exit B2 at Sham Shui Po Station, walk two streets and turn right.

Another option is Tai Yuen Street in Wan Chai. This one has more variety and nostalgic toys. Take Exit A3 at Wan Chai station and walk just a few minutes. You’ll see it.

Some Hong Kong markets appeal to kids more than others. If in need of a costume for any reason, definitely go to Pottinger Street. This small market lines a staircase in Central with vendors selling loads of costumes, accessories, and holiday decor year-round. It’s also conveniently located next two other famous shopping streets called The Lanes (Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West) just off of Queens Road near the Mid Levels escalator. Visit both in the same outing. Take Exit C at Central Station and walk down Des Voeux road until you see the lanes full of shops. I also take Exit D and walk down Queen’s Road.

Kids who can stay up late will enjoy the festival atmosphere of the (somewhat touristy) Temple Street Night Market with its food, trinkets, and fortune tellers. Take Exit C at Yau Ma Tei Station or Exit A at Jordan Station.

I’ve written in detail about where to go shopping in Hong Kong.

Neighborhoods: Sham Shui Po / Wan Chai / Central / Mongkok

How to get there: MTR Exits listed next to each market above

Activity: Shopping

Cost: Free to enter

Hours: Varies

Ages: Kids who like to shop

5. Visit The Peak

Note: The Peak Tram will be closed for maintenance for up to three months starting on April 23, 2019. The Peak Galleria is also closed for renovation until late 2019. This is where a number of restaurants, shops, and the Trick Eye Museum are located.

Despite these closures, The Peak is still a worthwhile Hong Kong attraction to visit. Klook offers uphill or downhill bus options.

The observation deck is on the top of this building.

The Peak offers the most spectacular view of Hong Kong. The viewing deck on the top of The Peak Tower on the Sky Terrace 428 (admission required) is the perfect place to take that holiday card photo. Or opt for the free Lion’s Peak Pavilion to the right (if facing Victoria Harbour) of The Peak Tower. It’s a free viewing platform with more charm but be aware that it is usually crowded.

Go any time of the day, but I think it’s best to maximize your time up here by also dining at The Peak Lookout. There are also quick-service restaurants, some of which serve must-try Hong Kong food. Madame Tussaud’s is here as are many, many souvenir shops, so plan to spend a while here.

Stroll around the Peak Circle Walk for more scenic shots. As the name implies, you can walk an entire circle around The Peak. There’s a little kids’ playground around the middle if they need a break. It takes around 40 minutes to do the entire walk, so when we’re short on time we walk it for a bit and then reverse.

We usually like to take The Peak Tram up and walk or taxi back down. If we walk, we take the scenic Morning Trail from the Peak all the way back to Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong in Central which takes about an hour. That said, I know where I’m going… if you get lost, hail a taxi.

Likewise, many hike to Pok Fu Lam from The Peak and down a few other trails. If hiking or walking down from The Peak appeals to you, ask your hotel concierge for a map and make sure your mobile phone is charged.

Neighborhood: Victoria Peak

How to get there: Klook offers uphill or downhill bus options, or you can take the Peak Tram up and a taxi back down.

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: A single ride on the Peak Tram costs HK$32 for adults and HK$12 for children 11 and under and senior citizens. Admission to Sky Terrace 428 costs HK$77 for adults and HK$35 for kids and seniors.

Hours: The Peak Tram runs from 7 a.m. to midnight. The Peak Galleria (closed through summer 2019) is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Peak Tower terminus opens at 8 a.m. on Sundays and holidays and at 10 a.m. on other days. It closes at 11 p.m.

Ages: All ages

Tip: The queue for the Peak Tram on the way up has been really long lately. Get a skip-the-line ticket from Klook (you can bundle this with discounted admission to Madame Tussauds and the Sky Terrace) or the Hong Kong pass.

6. Hong Kong Science Museum/Hong Kong Museum of History

Here’s something to do on a rainy day in Hong Kong with kids (from late spring through early fall, there are plenty of hot or rainy days). The Hong Kong Science Museum is located in Kowloon and has over 500 exhibits on display including Cathay Pacific’s first DC3 airliner suspended from the ceiling.

Most of the exhibits are hands-on, including a car simulator that you “drive” to avoid accidents. Another highlight is the 22-meter Energy Machine (the largest of its kind in the world) with audio-visual effects simulating energy. Kids will love it.

The Hong Kong Museum of History is right next door and is my favorite Hong Kong museum. It does have some colorful hands-on exhibits for kids, but you will likely enjoy it more than they will. I say hit both on the same day.

Neighborhood: Tsim Sha Tsui

How to get there: Take the West Rail Line, get off at East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit P2 and walk along Chatham Road south for about 10 minutes.

Activity: Museum

Cost: General admission to the Hong Kong Science Museum is HK$20. Children under 4 are free. The Hong Kong Museum of History is free for all visitors.

Hours: Both museums open daily at 10 a.m., but closing times vary.

Ages: Elementary school kids up to adults will appreciate the exhibits in the Hong Kong Museum of History most, but toddlers and above may like the Hong Kong Science Museum.

Tip: You can visit both in the same day as you’ll likely spend an hour or two at most at both.

7. Hong Kong Park

Kids (and adults) love looking at the turtles in the ponds.

This park is a little oasis off of the busy street. It isn’t huge but passing through here is a pleasant thing to do with kids, especially if you’re walking from Central to Admiralty (or vice versa) or need a break from shopping at Pacific Place (one of my favorite indoor malls). Turtles and koi fish can be seen swimming in little ponds along the walkway.

The park has a playground, a Tai Chi garden, a gym, and there’s even a small teaware museum worth a short visit. When it’s hot, it’s easy to duck back into Pacific Place mall for a drink or bite to eat. Do peek into the free Flagstaff House Teaware Museum quickly to learn more about the role that tea plays in Asian culture. The Peak Tram also departs from the Lower Terminus just outside of Hong Kong Park.

If families are considering the Admiralty hotels (Upper House, Conrad, JW Marriott, and Island Shangri-la), I always point out this park as a perk of the location.

Neighborhood: Central / Admiralty

How to get there: Take MTR Tsuen Wan Line, South Island Line, or Island Line to Admiralty Station, and use Exit C1. Walk through Pacific Place Mall (following the signs), and then take the escalator directly to the park.

Activity: Park

Cost: Free

Hours: The park opens at 6 a.m. daily and closes at 11 p.m.

Ages: All Ages

8. The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery via Ngong Ping 360

Get your daily exercise by climbing the steps up to the Tian Tan Buddha.

Named for the stunning views seen during the ride, Ngong Ping 360 eliminates the need to endure a windy bus ride to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. You can ride in a regular cable car, private cable car, or even a glass-bottom cable car.

I recommend you book the glass-bottom cable car at Ngong Ping 360. Kids love the glass-bottom cable car for obvious reasons and it usually has a shorter boarding queue.

The glass bottom cable car.

The cable car drops you at Ngong Ping Village where there is shopping, dining, and entertainment. It’s a bit touristy, though nature walks are accessible here, and the most famous sight is the Po Lin Monastery, where you can have a decent vegetarian lunch and see the Tian Tan Buddha, otherwise known as the Big Buddha.

The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are very popular Hong Kong attractions for a good reason. People from all over Asia make the pilgrimage to see the stately Big Buddha, which was built in 1993. If your kids are good walkers, do take a quick detour to the Wisdom Path where a group of large wooden steles displays a prayer. It’s great for photos.

My daughter loves visiting the Big Buddha and asks to visit every time we go to Hong Kong now. You can read more about our tips for visiting the Big Buddha because there is a lot to know.

Some hotel concierge desks can purchase your Ngong Ping cable car tickets in advance. Otherwise, Klook has them and a dedicated expedited line at the entrance.

Neighborhood: Lantau Island

How to get there: Take the MTR to Tung Chung station and the cable car is just a few minutes away on foot.

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: Varies depending on which cable car you ride, though full-price single standard tickets start at HK$160 for adults and HK$75 for children 3-11. Children ages 2 and under ride free.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekends

Ages: Kids who won’t mind the walking (strollers are okay for younger kids)

9. Go Hong Kong Pink Dolphin Watching

Sadly, due to pollution, ferries, and harbour reclamation, the striking but endangered Hong Kong pink dolphins are becoming even rarer. They are gorgeous and if you can swing 3 hours on a boat, try to see them before they are gone. Through Klook, you can book a Hong Kong pink dolphin watching tour. Hong Kong’s pink dolphins are active year round and dolphin watching excursions book up quickly in peak travel season, so I recommend buying tickets in advance.

Neighborhood: Many tours depart in Tsim Sha Tsui

How to get there: Varies

Activity: Wildlife Experience

Cost: Varies depending on which tour you take, but expect to spend about HK$470 for adult tickets

Hours: Varies, but expect to spend half a day on your tour

Ages: All ages, though older kids who can wait patiently for sightings will enjoy it most.

10. Explore the Geoparks

Sharp Island – Wikimedia Commons: kobe CHENG [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Exploring the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark with kids is the perfect outdoor activity for a family vacation.

Eight named sites at the UNESCO Global Geopark in Hong Kong highlight interesting rock formations created by the Earth’s movement. There are hexagonal volcanic columns, sea arches, a 400-year-old village, and other interesting things to see in two regions (Sai Kung and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region), each with four geo-areas. Most families prefer to visit Sai Kung. Sharp Island, especially at low tide, is a good choice by sampan from Sai Kung Pier (otherwise, it’s a long hike).

Kids may also like the Volcano Discovery Centre in Sai Kung Waterfront Park which organizes tours and showcases how the rock formations were made.

If you happen to be staying at The Peninsula Hong Kong, they now offer a private helicopter tour of the UNESCO Geopark as part of their Peninsula Academy bespoke programs, or you can book one via Klook. There are also boat tours and kayak tours. Your best bet is to do some research to decide which Geopark experience is most appropriate for your family as some are rigorous to get to.

Neighborhood: Sai Kung

How to get there: From MTR Diamond Hill Station, take Exit C2 to Bus 92. You can also take Exit C2 out of Choi Hung Station and then take Minibus 1A. Keep in mind that the different areas of the park have different addresses.

Activity: Nature Excursion

Cost: This will depend on what type of tour you take. There are helicopter tours, walking tours, boat tours, and more.

Hours: Open 24 hours

Ages: Kids old enough to handle the walking and climbing will have the most fun.

11. Watch the Nightly Symphony of Lights and ICC Light Shows

The Symphony of Lights view from Kowloon side, looking at Central.

The Symphony of Lights show over Victoria Harbour never gets old, and my daughter has loved it since before she could talk. I highly recommend harbour view hotel rooms as most have views of it (the closer you are to the harbour, the better).

The ‘World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show’ as named by Guinness World Records starts every night at 8:00 p.m. Colored lasers and lights shoot from the top of 40 buildings lining the Hong Kong skyline on both sides of the harbour. Listen to music (Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra recorded the new musical score) and narration available via the A Symphony of Lights app though it is broadcast live near Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui and at the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.

The ICC Light Show has won a Guinness Book of World Record for “Largest Light and Sound Show on a Single Building” occurs on the exterior of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) building, where The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong resides. It’s the tallest building in Hong Kong.

Remember, you can see both shows at the evening Star Ferry tour or book a Symphony of Lights tour on Aqua Luna, a (newer) traditional Hong Kong red-sailed junks (more details below).

Download the ICCLightShow app so that you can listen to music synchronized with the light show.

Neighborhood: West Kowloon / Tsim Sha Tsui / Central

How to get there: You can see both shows extremely well from a harbour view room at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, the IFC terraces on Podium 3 and 4 as well as some harbour view restaurants. See both also from Ocean Terminal Deck at Harbour City with its 270-degree harbour view.

Activity: Light Show

Cost: Free

Hours: Symphony of Lights at 8 p.m. and ICC shows at 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Ages: All Ages

12. Ride the Mid-Levels Escalator

This activity depends on the level of patience your kids have, but the Mid-Levels Escalator is the largest outdoor covered escalator in the world at roughly half a mile long and worth checking out. There are more than a dozen entry and exit points, rest areas, and even cafes and shops. You can actually hop on and off along the route.

Starting at 6 a.m., the escalator runs downhill to take residents to work and switches directions at roughly 10:15 a.m. to run uphill until midnight, at which point it turns off until the morning.

Make it a challenge and see if you can ride it all the way to the top, though note that it doesn’t reach The Peak. You can always exit for lunch, dinner, shopping, or a snack.

There are tons of great restaurants, shops, and markets around the escalator including the famous Wellington Street Michelin mile, Hollywood Road, Tai Kwun and some of Hong Kong last remaining dai pai dongs.

As you’ve likely taken the escalator up, it’s easy to walk back down though it’s mostly by staircases and not stroller-friendly, unless you know how to wind your way down the various streets, which is certainly possible by looking out for sidewalks leading downhill. My daughter liked to count the steps down when she was younger. Or, you can simply taxi back down to Central.

Neighborhoods: Central and the Mid-Levels

How to get there: The starting point of the escalator in Central is 100 Queens Road. It’s an easy walk from the Central MTR Station (Exit D2) and Central Hong Kong hotels.

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: Free

Hours: The escalator runs from 6 a.m. until midnight, though keep in mind that the direction changes at 10:15 a.m.

Ages: Elementary school age kids think it’s fun but it’s a slow-moving escalator so may run out of patience before hitting the top. And, remember one has to walk back down. Older kids will enjoy the area surrounding the escalator up to Elgin Street. Look out for Instagram-worthy street murals.

13. Bike the New Territories

Cycling is becoming one of the most popular things to do in Hong Kong with kids and is most often done in the New Territories. We took a half-day private biking tour of the Walled Villages in the New Territories with Mountain Biking Asia, that I would recommend for kids that can handle more rugged terrain. It’s pretty flat, with a few small hills and dirt roads, but they do need a little strength and endurance. My daughter was nine when we first did this and fine.

We have also rented bikes, including kids’ bikes, and explored scenic paved bike paths in the area ourselves. The entire route is pretty flat and there is a dedicated bike path. Discover Hong Kong has a helpful page outlining the various bike paths and rental information

Neighborhood: Tai Wai

How to get there: You can rent bikes just outside of the MTR station in Tai Wai and Hong Kong biking tours depart from various locations.

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: Varies, depending on the tour

Hours: Varies, though plan for a half day

Ages: Kids old enough to ride a bike independently and have the endurance to handle a couple of hours of biking off-road.

14. Ride a Hong Kong Junk

Red-sailed junks are Hong Kong’s icon, often seen in travel ads, and a sight that lends immediate recognition to Victoria Harbour. Duk Ling is the last authentic Chinese sailing junk in Victoria Harbour. The junk has been painstakingly restored and is available for short cruises during the week or private hire. If you’re not going to ride it, keep an eye out for it in the harbour. I see it often when we stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

Another red-sailed junk built by the Aqua Group is also visible on the harbour and available for dining and tours. It’s called Aqua Luna but keep in mind that it is a new ship which means the experience is a bit more posh with more comfortable seating, cocktails, and food for purchase. Those who prefer a more authentic experience should choose Duk Ling.

There are also some junks you can rent by the day (sans the red sails, usually). We’ve done it with friends (and loads of champagne), and it’s quite fun. If you ride a Hong Kong junk during the day, do bring sunscreen.

Neighborhood: Central and Tsim Sha Tsui

How to get there: You can catch Duk Ling at Kowloon Public Pier 3 in or Central Pier 9. Aqua Luna departs from Tsim Sha Tsu Pier 1 and Central Pier 9.

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: Tickets on Duk Ling cost HK$230 for adults and HK$160 for kids 3–11 years old and seniors. The cost of Aqua Luna tours varies depending on the tour.

Hours: Duk Ling picks up passengers hourly from 2:30 p.m. through 8:45 p.m. Aqua Luna runs on a hop-on, hop-off basis between noon and 5:00 p.m. Private tours are available by request.

Ages: All Ages (though anyone prone to seasickness probably won’t enjoy this)

15. Ferry to an Outer Island

Cheung Chau island

Kids who love boat rides can get their fill in Hong Kong between the Star Ferry, Duk Ling, Aqua Luna, dolphin watching, and taking the ferries to outlying islands where the buzz of a big city is less noticeable. The two most popular islands are Cheung Chau (pictured above), which is famous for the annual bun festival in May (if you are in Hong Kong in May, this festival is a must), and Lamma Island, another fishing village.

Cheung Chau is home to a pretty beach near the ferry terminal and water-based outdoor activities like kayaking and swimming, while Lamma Island is home to fresh seafood and a little beach. Both are worth visiting if time and weather permits.

Lamma island on a sunny day during a recent visit.

We used to take the 20-minute ferry ride over to Lamma from Central, walk around the island and then eat at one of the small seaside restaurants. The islands, especially Lamma, provide a nice break from city life.

Seasickness is less likely to occur on these larger ferries, unlike a smaller junk boat.

Neighborhood: Lamma and the other small islands

How to get there: There are various ferry companies that depart from Central

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: Varies, but ferry tickets are very inexpensive

Hours: Varies, but ferries typically run all day and depart every half hour or so

Ages: All ages, though smaller kids may tire out after lots of walking (strollers are easy to take on the ferries).

16. Ride the Hong Kong Observation Wheel

Recently opened on the Central Harbourfront, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel (or Hong Kong Ferris Wheel) provides 20 minutes of fun for all ages. The wheel spins around three times per ride and provides excellent views over Victoria Harbour.

One of the best times to visit is during the Golden Hour when the sunlight hits the skyscrapers or during the Symphony of Lights show. But really, any time is a good time to ride the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.

Neighborhood: Central

How to get there: You can walk to the Observation Wheel from any of the ferry terminals and Central hotels

Activity: Family Fun

Cost: Tickets are HK$20 for adults, HK$10 for children 3-11, and free for kids under three years old. You can also reserve a private gondola for HK$160. Buy tickets in advance.

Hours: The Ferris wheel runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Ages: All Ages

17. Explore Tai Kwun, the Former Central Police Station

The Tai Kwun courtyard is a nice place to grab a drink and rest while sightseeing in Central.

Tai Kwun opened in late 2018 as a centre for heritage and arts located just off of the Mid-Levels escalator in Old Town Central. It’s used to be the Central Police Station compound which is made up of three parts: Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison.

Now, visitors enjoy the large open square surrounded by bars and cafes. It’s a nice place to take a break when in Hong Kong with kids after sightseeing around the area. Shops featuring local artists and designers flank the square. Check the event calendar to see what’s on display in the various galleries during your visit.

Kids will enjoy the walking through some of the Victoria Prison cells that are now animated to tell the story of what life was like in there back in the day. They can also pick up a scavenger hunt sheet in the Visitor’s Center that they can stamp at various stations around Tai Kwun.

Neighborhood: Central

How to get there: Take the Central-Mid-Levels escalator uphill and when you get to the elevated walkway above Hollywood Road, walk straight into Tai Kwun.

Activity: Sightseeing

Cost: Free to enter

Hours: 10 a.m. to 11p.m. daily (can vary during holidays)

Ages: All Ages

18. Visit the Trick Eye Museum (Temporarily Closed)

Note: Trick Eye Museum is located inside The Peak Galleria which is closed for renovation until summer 2019.

The Trick Eye Museum at The Peak in Hong Kong (mentioned briefly above) is a fun thing to do with kids.

My daughter and her friends love this little 3-D art museum with about 50 mind-bending optical illusion paintings and installations that bring art to life. It doesn’t take long to walk through the entire thing. I would say allow 30 minutes or so to walk through all the rooms in the Trick Eye Museum. If you’ll be touring The Peak at some point anyway, plan to spend a little time here.

Neighborhood: Central

How to get there: Take the uphill bus or the Peak Tram at Garden Road Terminal

Activity: Museum

Cost: Full price tickets cost HK$150 for adult admission and HK$100 for children ages 3 through 11.

Hours: The Trick Eye Museum is currently closed for renovations

Ages: All Ages

19. Eat Character Dim Sum

Bao dumplings at Yum Cha’s Central location

People often ask me what to eat in Hong Kong, and of course, the answer changes when you’re traveling in Hong Kong with kids. Character dim sum is trending in Hong Kong and elsewhere, and kids love it. One of the most popular places for it in Hong Kong is a restaurant called Yum Cha, which has locations in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok, and Causeway Bay. We often meet friends here because the kids love it and the food is good. Do make a reservation. They also offer dim sum making classes.

Dim Sum Icon, now only in Kowloon, is another restaurant where the themed character dim sum changes every so often to keep people coming in. To be honest, I did not recognize the character series featured when we were there, but they’ve featured Gudetama, Sailor Moon, and other favorite characters in the past. In my opinion, the food is better at Yum Cha.

Of course, you can also reserve Crystal Lotus inside Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel for Disney dim sum.

Neighborhood: Central and Tsim Sha Tsui

How to get there: Yum Cha locations can be found at

Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road, Central

Emperor Watch & Jewellery Ctr., 8 Russell Street, Causeway Bay

20-22 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Shop 07, Level 4A, Langham Place, Mongkok

Activity: Dining

Cost: Character dim sum options range from HK$50-60 per order

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner on weekdays. On weekends, lunch lasts until 4:30 p.m.

Ages: Toddlers and up

20. Eat a Hong Kong Waffle

One of our recent Mammy Pancake eggettes

Even picky kids may enjoy one of Hong Kong’s most popular street food snacks: the egg waffle (also called Hong Kong waffles, bubble waffles, or eggette). Egg waffles have actually become pretty trendy in U.S. cities (in case you want to try them but aren’t traveling abroad any time soon) where they’re usually wrapped around ice cream.

In addition to enjoying the mildly-sweet flavor of the original (many flavor variations exist now), it’s fun to see how the waffles are made and dried by a fan. We like Mammy Pancake (locations on the island and in Kowloon) which has recently earned a Michelin star. Lee Keung Kee (North Point and Kowloon) is popular, as is Oddie’s (Central and Wan Chai) if you’d like an eggette wrapped around soft-serve gelato.

Other local must-trys that kids may love include pineapple buns, Hong Kong toast, wonton noodle soup, and egg tarts.

Neighborhood: Throughout Hong Kong

How to get there: You can research where to go ahead of time or wait until you come across a shop selling them.

Activity: Dining

Cost: About HK$15 for a traditional waffle

Ages: Toddlers and up

Good Things to Know When in Hong Kong With Kids

Eating in Hong Kong with kids isn’t challenging. There is plenty of Western food available, but kid-friendly Asian favorites like steamed rice, fried rice, egg rolls, and other simple Chinese food can be ordered, too.

Do not panic if you forget to pack something. Many Western brands of jarred baby food, formula, diapers, and other items for infants and toddlers are available at chemists (pharmacies) and grocery stores.

Car seats aren’t required in taxis. Uneven pavement makes using a stroller difficult in some areas and finding a lift in an MTR station can be difficult, though not impossible. This is a good opportunity to try babywearing.

Hong Kongers love kids, and I’ve received plenty of help with my own strollers and bags from strangers over the years.

If time permits, Hong Kong is a fantastic city for a vacation photographer. We used Flytographer for a 30-minute session and were quite pleased. Book through my link for 20% more photos and a free SmugMug print (applied after checkout), if you’d like to try it. Shoots start at $250 for 30 minutes.

When you’re booking a hotel, keep in mind that the maximum occupancy in Hong Kong hotels is three people, including kids, with a few exceptions. Even families of four will usually need connecting rooms.

Look into meet and greet service at Hong Kong Airport if you’re worried about how tired kids will handle long walks and clearing customs after long haul flights (it’s a big airport). They’ll pick you up at the jetway in a buggy if your gate is further away than gate 25. Learn more about how to get from Hong Kong airport to your hotel.

I have had nothing but good experiences with babysitters at both the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. These are my top two Hong Kong family hotel picks and where we stay every year.

If you are considering a luxury Hong Kong hotel, I have access to VIP amenities and perks (that may include complimentary breakfast for two, room upgrades, food, and beverage credits and more) at five-star hotels in town through my role as an independent affiliate at Cadence Travel. You can book online with benefits. For moderate and budget hotels, most people save with Agoda.

See also: The Best List of Family Hotels in Hong Kong

What are your favorite things to do in Hong Kong with kids?

Photo credits: Star Ferry, Peak Tram, Symphony of Lights, Cheung Chau are courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

#HongKong #familytravel"#039;ll

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prudencexed-blog · 7 years ago

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The Decline - Part 2

Fifteen years old. Still a virgin. Heavy makeup melting in the hot August sun. Sitting on the tarry blacktop in the shadow of a car, smoking a joint all by myself. I don't know where Dawn or Kevin or my other friends have gone. I was beyond stoned. The screams and shouts and laughter of a thousand metalheads washed over me, merging into one voice, the voice of a metal god holding a bottle of Jack in one hand and a burning joint in the other. "You belong here" that voice said. "You're having the best day of your life."

I had taken a small, blue compact mirror out of my scuffed purse to check my makeup. But when you're drunk/stoned, you're convinced you look pretty hot, all things considered. Eye makeup smeared, eyes themselves red and glassy, lipstick long gone - traded for Zig Zags, for kisses, for bottle necks. A sudden flash of blinding white light interrupted my contemplation and I looked up.

Three stoner guys were sitting inside of an ancient pickup truck. Apparently, my compact had picked up the sunlight and thrown it back into their eyes, so they retaliated with a busted rearview. It became a game between myself and these three strangers: catch the sun, throw it back, like children with a ball. We were all laughing. I never knew their names.

An immense amount of time passed. It had probably been a minute, stretched into eons by the pungent weed I was sucking into my soul. I looked around and realized I was alone. The mirror fell from my hand and took an hour to make its cheap plastic clatter against the blacktop. I leaned over to retrieve it and stood up quickly. Where were my friends? My blonde boyfriend, my best friend Dawn, her blonde boyfriend? I was alone. I had stood up too fast. I had made the unwise decision to drink half a dozen swallows of Yukon Jack on top of his cousin JD and both were suddenly threatening to eject themselves from my hot, sloshy stomach. There was no food in there to soak it up and calm it down. I wobbled around to the front of the car whose shade I had sought and vomited between the bumpers of it and another slant-hood muscle rod, dry chrome sparkling mercilessly, like robot bones. A pure, fluid jet of yellow gunk shot out of my mouth and splattered all over the blacktop. The sour stink of it made me do it again. I spit and coughed and dry heaved for a few seconds, then nonchalantly wiped my mouth and casually stood up, certain I had gotten away with it, that no one had seen. Yeah man, I was still totally cool, I could handle this badass metal scene.

I saw Kevin and Dawn and Co. running towards me, their faces white, their mouths identical ghostly Oh's of concern. "Are you okay?" they all asked me. "Are you okay?" It became a mantra. It made me okay. My stomach calmed. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. I was given water and more weed. Kevin put his arm around me and stayed with me, not daring to wander off again. No more booze for me, thank you.

I don't remember standing in line, or filing into the stadium where I'd been before, taken to baseball games by my dad a mere ten years previous. I don't remember finding our seats, which were not bad, facing the stage and giving us a clear view of the bands.

Victory took the stage first. I remember none of it. Rising Force was next, featuring Yngwie Malmsteen, who had not yet become a big name and who as of yet did not feel the need to include his middle initial of J. in his name, so as to separate him from all of the other Yngwie Malmsteen's, apparently. I remember singing along with "I Am A Viking" and that was it.

Then Metallica took the stage, the reason for our journey, the peak of the metal Mount Everest we had staggered up or some such poetic shit. There was Cliff Burton, head to toe in denim, smiling and somehow hippie-like. He would not have seemed out of lace standing beside a van with a teardrop window, blaring Foghat from its speakers. But when he began to pick out the first few notes of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" we knew the world had never been more metal than it was right at that moment. The stadium went insane. Fists punched the air. Voices screamed in unison "TIME MARCHES ON!" It was titanium heaven. It was that line from A Clockwork Orange: Oh bliss! Bliss and heaven! Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now. As I slooshied, I knew such lovely pictures!

We sang along with every single song in their set. We knew all the words. We felt they were there for us and us alone. We were friends, not fans. We were home and they were home in the NorCal Bay Area. This was our time, our music - they were Gods and we were their chose acolytes.

And then their set ended and the joints began to go around again, because nobody cared about Y&T or Rats. Especially Ratt. Fucking poseur glam metal sissies. The guys didn't like Ratt, so neither could I...even though I knew all the words to Round and Round. No WAY was I going to admit that. I wasn't going to be labeled a poster. It was the ultimate cone of shame. So I became a lying hypocrite instead.

We stuck around for half of The Scorpions set. All of us approved of The Scorpions and would have stayed to see the show finish, but the last train back to Hayward was due soon and we had to go. We took the skywalk over the stadium, watching The Scorpions as we walked. I still remember looking down, seeing Rudy Schenker standing spread legged and beating the shit out of his instrument with a smile on his face. The stadium slid away as we walked and another couple of steps brought us a birds eye view of a parking lot filled with tour buses. People were milling about, beer cans in hand. One guy in particular stood out. Dressed all in black, with long, tightly curled black hair brushing the shoulders of a black leather jacket. Fuck me, it was Kirk Hammett!!!! I hooked my fingers through the diamond shaped links of the chain fence that enclosed us and gaped.

It was a backstage party. Or rather a parking lot party. There were no scantily clad metal strippers, no group orgies, no flamethrowers or piles of cocaine laying about. Just people, wandering about, talking, moving on. Kirk Hammett walked away. It did not occur to me to call out. I was no one. I wasn't even pretty. They wouldn't see me.

But one of them did. A tall guy dressed all in denim, his long brown bushy hair framing a narrow, pale face that turned up to the overpass upon which I stood, surrounded by thousands of teenage metalheads heading home to sleep it off. He locked eyes with me for one second, two perhaps. It was Cliff Burton and he was just standing there, staring at me. At ME. He saw ME. And then he turned away and was gone.

It was two seconds, but I knew it had happened for a reason. It would be my very first brush with fame, recognition from a star, an idol. I had been granted something that few people ever get - a moment. And when another year passed by and news came to us from Europe that Cliff Burton had died in a bus crash, I knew how lucky I was. He'd seen me. He knew me. We'd had two seconds, two seconds that nobody else could have.

#metallica #cliff burton #Day On The Green

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anestiefel · 5 years ago

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How to Visit Thailand in 10 Days for Less Than $2,000 with Flights

If you’ve got two grand to spend on your next Thailand vacation, you’ll be just fine. This Southeast Asian country has long been a popular choice among budget travelers, not only because of its abundance of cheap food and affordable hotels, but also because of how much there is to see and do. And while it’s a far flight from both North America and Europe, with a bit of strategic planning (and obsessive flight tracking), you’ll likely score some seriously cheap Thailand airline tickets. Here’s everything you need to know to transform your budget-friendly dreams of Thailand into a reality. You can visit Thailand in 10 days for less than $2,000. Here’s how.

Here are the 9 best things to do in Phuket, from beaches to temples to wildlife sightings.

Beach at the Ao Muong Resort/Oyster

When Is the Best Time to Visit Thailand on a Budget?

If you want to save money, consider foregoing the high season in Thailand (roughly November through March), when many tourists from Europe and North America head to Southeast Asia in favor of warmer climes. Instead, consider visiting during one of the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October), when hotel occupancy and room rates decrease considerably. Just be prepared for some amount of rainfall — although the rainiest months tend to be from June through August, it’s not unheard of to get some serious downpours during the shoulder months. In fact, if beaches are part of your itinerary, note that the western coast on the Andaman Sea gets most of its rainfall in May through November, while the eastern coast along the Gulf of Thailand is rainier from September onwards until as late as December.

How Can I Find Cheap Flights to Thailand?

It’s not unheard of to find flights to Thailand from both coasts of the U.S. for under $500, roundtrip, provided that you book in advance and aren’t picky about what carrier you use. The cheapest flights tend to be with Chinese carriers, which means you’ll likely have a layover in Shanghai or Beijing. If you plan to head to Northern Thailand, it’s also worth looking into flights to Chiang Mai, as these sometimes can be just as cheap, or cheaper, than going through Bangkok. On the same token, if you plan to visit both the north and Bangkok and/or southern Thailand, it’s often just as cheap to get a flight that arrives in Chiang Mai and departs from Bangkok, or vice versa. Also check flights to nearby hubs such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, from where you can often get cheap flights to Bangkok on regional budget carriers (this works best if you don’t have checked luggage, which can incur hefty fees). If you don’t have set dates in mind, use a fare aggregator to compare deals.

What is the Cheapest Way to Get Around Thailand?

Beach at the Tonsai Bay Resort/Oyster

There are multiple ways to get around Thailand, all of which are relatively affordable by Western standards. Buses are remarkably comfortable, and generally have both air-conditioning and toilets. There are regular services from Bangkok to a number of port cities in the south from where you can take ferries to popular island destinations. Trains are another budget-friendly option, and carriages run the gamut from simple carriages with bench seats to comfortable sleeper coaches used for overnight travel (if you’re traveling between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, you can save yourself a night’s accommodation by taking a sleeper train). There are also plenty of budget airlines in Thailand, and it’s possible to get cheap flights all over the country, even if you book fairly last minute. Carriers include JetStar, LionAir, AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airline’s budget division: Thai Smile, to name a few. Just remember to factor in the cost of getting to your destination from the airport, particularly if you’re visiting one of the islands: most airlines fly to mainland cities, and you’ll need to arrange a taxi (which can be expensive) or wait for a much cheaper shuttle to get to your nearest ferry port.

How Much Does Food Cost in Thailand?

One of the many delights of traveling in Thailand is getting to try the insanely delicious and affordable food. Each region of the country has its own specialties — some dishes will likely be familiar if you’ve eaten in Thai restaurants at home, though you’ll surely find plenty of new dishes, tropical fruits, and interesting sweets to discover. If you stick to street food, you’re looking at only a couple of dollars per meal (a chicken pad Thai will run you about 50 THB, or USD 1.60). Even restaurants tend to be way cheaper than what you’d likely encounter in the U.S., especially if you avoid eating out at swish places inside fancy hotels. Just be prepared for major price hikes on some of the smaller islands in restaurants that cater primarily to tourists, where meals often start at around 200 THB (6.40 USD) — still cheap by global standards, but pricey if you’re on a super-strict budget.

What are the Best Budget-Friendly Itineraries in Thailand?

Beach at the Centara Villas Samui/Oyster

Best of Thailand Itinerary

With 10 days in Thailand, you’ll have just enough time to check out Bangkok, head up to Chiang Mai in the North, and get some beach time into the mix. Start in Bangkok, and head straight to the Khao San Road area, ground zero for backpackers and budget travelers who make their way through the city. You’ll find the most variety of cheap hotels and guest houses here, as well as plenty of affordable spots to eat and drink. In fact, the eastern end of the road has a whole range of street food vendors that generally stay open quite late. Khao San Road also has travel agents that specialize in budget travel and can help you book bus, train, or air tickets to your next destination. Spend your first two or three days in Bangkok, making sure to check out some of the city’s numerous attractions, such as the river-facing Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and the Jim Thompson house, notable for its numerous examples of Thai architecture.

From Bangkok, make your way down south for a bit of beach time. With only a couple of days, you may want to take it easy and head to nearby Ko Chang, one of the closest options to Bangkok and easily accessed by bus straight from the Khao San area. If you’re up for partying, the backpacker-friendly town of Hat Rin on Ko Pha Ngan, notorious for its Full Moon Parties, is a good option. If you’d rather visit the Andaman Coast, consider making your way to Krabi, which offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget, along with some of the best rock climbing in Southeast Asia.

Once you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, make your way up to Northern Thailand for the last few days. You’re best off sticking to Chiang Mai, which is the second-largest city in Thailand after Bangkok, but feels much more intimate. Here you’ll find myriad wats (temples) to visit along with great dining and a fun night market, held every Saturday night at the center of town.

Check out exactly what to expect at a Full Moon party.

Northern Adventures Itinerary

If you’d rather focus on Northern Thailand, consider booking a round-trip ticket to Chiang Mai. Start with a few days in the city, checking out temples and treating yourself to a traditional Thai massage, which is done fully clothed and involves being stretched and manipulated (hence its popular nickname, “yoga massage.”) If you’re into the great outdoors, you’re in luck: Chiang Mai is the departure point for numerous overnight treks, which generally head up to rural tribal villages or into the lush Doi Inthanon National Park. If you’re in the market for something a bit more chilled out, consider heading up to Pai instead — this popular, laid-back backpacker spot doesn’t offer a ton to see or do, and that’s kind of the point. Finally, don’t leave the region without paying a visit to Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai. Also known as the White Temple, this temple, created by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat is filled with fantastical sculptures and intricate mirror work.

Southern Thailand Island Hopping Itinerary

If islands are the main focus of your agenda, you’re probably looking for a bit of R&R. While you may very well just want to plop down on one island for the duration of your vacation, island hopping through Southern Thailand is definitely a viable option, especially if you want the chance to explore both the western Andaman Sea coastline and the Gulf of Thailand on the East Coast. You could viably start with either Ko Chang or Ko Pha Ngan on the Gulf Coast for a few days. Ko Samui is another popular choice, though it might be a tad harder to find budget digs. Phuket’s the easiest spot to get to (but it can get crowded). For something more chilled out either make your way to Krabi and head to Ko Lanta or Railay Beach, or go to Hat Yai, the gateway for tranquil, car-free Ko Lipe.

Our Picks for Cheap Hotels in Thailand:

Our Bangkok Cheap Hotel Pick: Buddy Lodge Hotel

Pool at the Buddy Lodge Hotel/Oyster

Smack in the heart of the backpacker haven of Khao San Road, the backpacker favorite Buddy Lodge Hotel offers not only a great location, but also plenty of perks not usually found in cheaper hotels. The rooms are classically stylish, with antiques and hardwood floors, plus there’s a fitness center, a steam room, a sauna, and a lovely rooftop pool. And if you’re in the mood to party, you need only head down to the concert venue on the ground floor, popular with locals and tourists alike.

Pricing for Buddy Lodge Hotel

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Our Chiang Mai Cheap Hotel Pick: Thannatee Boutique Hotel

The Suite at the Thannatee Boutique hotel/Oyster

Housed in a beautiful wooden home within a 10-minute walk of the city center, the elegant Thannatee Boutique Hotel in Chiang Mai offers beautiful rooms and a ton of great amenities, from free airport shuttles to an evening shuttle bus that will drop you at the old city. Breakfast is also included, with buffet and a la carte options available, a wonderful perk given the already low rates. With only 22 rooms, the atmosphere feels quiet and cozy, and there’s even a small pool flanked with palms and lounge chairs for cooling off on sweltering days.

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Our Ko Lanta Cheap Hotel Pick: Mook Lanta Eco Resort

Beach at the Mook Lanta Resort/Oyster

Although the rooms at this little budget property, Mook Lanta Eco Resort, are on the basic side and there’s no pool, the low rates and eco-friendly values make it a solid choice for the backpacker set. It’s close to the rocky southern end of Long Beach, but not too far from sandier spots, and even the cheapest rooms have private bathrooms and outdoor areas with hammocks. There’s also a bar and a restaurant, and some rates include a fresh breakfast at the restaurant.

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Our Hat Rin Cheap Hotel Pick: Phangan Bayshore Resort

The Deluxe Villa at the Phangan Bayshore Resort/Oyster

If you’ve come to Hat Rin for the famous Full Moon Parties, the beachfront Phangan Bayshore Resort is right where you’ll want to be. Rooms are spacious (although not all face the beach) and the amenities are fantastic, with a large outdoor pool and generous breakfast buffets. However, the location right on Sunrise Beach, only a short stumble from the Full Moon Party scene is arguably the biggest draw (unless you want quiet, in which case you are in the wrong place). Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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Ko Lipe: Castaway Resort Koh Lipe

The Big Bungalow (Seaview) at the Castaway Resort Koh Lipe/Oyster

Straddling Sunrise Beach in Ko Lipe, the beautiful Castaway Resort features a series of basic, but nonetheless atmospheric, wooden bungalows with their own furnished terraces. That said, they lack basic amenities such as hot water and air-conditioning, but you don’t want to spend your whole trip inside your room, do you? Indeed, the selling point of this attractively priced option is its easy access to the sand and sea, though there certainly are some perks here, namely the restaurant with a bar and a dive shop offering a variety of water sports activities.

Pricing for Castaway Resort Koh Lipe

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You’ll Also Like:

The 10 Best Islands in Thailand

Where to Go in Thailand: A Complete Guide to the Most Popular Destinations

5 Ways to Save Some Serious Cash in Southeast Asia

The post How to Visit Thailand in 10 Days for Less Than $2,000 with Flights appeared first on Oyster.com.

from Oyster.com https://www.oyster.com/articles/visit-thailand-in-10-days-for-less-than-2000/ Publish First on IFTTT

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cheapartybusdc · 5 years ago

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3 Must See Places in San Francisco for a Spectacular Wedding Day

You’re going to enjoy your wedding in San Francisco, of that there’s no doubt. But you want to go above and beyond the usual rituals of wedding ceremonies, especially because so many of your guests are flying into the area (and many have never been here).

Did you know you can afford a San Francisco party bus or even a fleet of buses.

What makes a party bus rental near San Francisco such a great idea for a wedding?

First, not only will you surprise your guests with the wonderful chauffeured transportation, if you do it right, they’ll be able to enjoy some of the incredible sights all throughout the Bay Area, including some of the three listed below.

1. The Golden Gate Bridge.

Your guests can visit Golden Gate Park or drive over this iconic bridge. If they’re feeling ambitious, maybe they could all walk across it with you and your new spouse (wouldn’t that make for some great pictures?).

2. Alcatraz.

Sure, they’d need to take a ferry out to the actual prison, but how often does one wear a suit, tux, or even a wedding gown to this notorious prison that was once home to the most notorious criminals in the world?

3. Fisherman’s Wharf.

Finally, in a quality party bus rental near me, your guests can enjoy the chauffeured and party atmosphere of a unique limo service while checking out the sea lions, watching the fishing vessels return with their catch, and more.

Making your wedding stand out even more than it already will is easier than you thought when you consider a San Francisco party bus service.

CALL US 24/7 - (888) 748-4929

CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOUR PARTY BUS RENTALS NEAR WASHINGTON, DC

Holiday Christmas lights tour cheap party bus rental services near Washington, DC offered by Cheap Party Bus DC. The most wonderful time of the year is always an unforgettable celebration. Planning a special night out to dinner for the Holiday Season? Holiday Party Bus Rentals in DC from Party Bus Rental DC will make your Holiday celebrations even more special. We offer luxury sedans, SUVs, limos, coaches, and party buses to accommodate any size group. Check out our party bus rentals fleet and view other limo transportation options for groups large and small. We book out fairly far in advance for Christmas Light Tours so please give us a call for our special Christmas Light Tour Pricing.

Source: https://cheappartybusdc.blogspot.com/2019/10/3-must-see-places-in-san-francisco-for.html

#Party Bus Rental #Party Buses Near Me #Party Bus Near Me #San Francisco Party Bus #Party Bus Rental In San Francisco #San Francisco Party Bus Rentals #San Francisco Party Bus Rental #San Francisco Party Buses #Party Bus Rental Near Me #Party Bus Rentals Near Me #Cheap Party Bus Rental Near Me

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movingvanmel-blog · 5 years ago

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How identify Cheap Flights To Las Vegas

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charllieeldridge · 5 years ago

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10 Unique Things To Do in Barbados

The name Barbados automatically conjures up tantalizing images of white sand beaches, crystal clear water, palm trees and rum punches, and while the island has all of those amazing things, it also has much more to offer!

On your trip to Barbados, try to peel yourself away from the idyllic beaches to explore some of the island’s lesser-known areas and also enjoy the country as the local Bajans do.

After living on the island for 2 months, and returning to travel there for a week, I know the place well. We actually found many unique things to do in Barbados during our stay and I’m here to share the best Barbados excursions with you.

Here are 10 things you won’t want to miss on your trip to Barbados.

1. Hit Up A Barbecue

Bajans love their grills and the smokey aroma of grilled meats and spicy sauces can be smelled wafting all over the island, especially on weekends. Just follow your nose to one of the many roadside or beachside barbecues and taste some of the nation’s best food.

This is one of the things to do in Barbados that you won’t likely find on other lists, but it’s the best way to meet locals and enjoy some traditional barbecued meats. When we were in Barbados, we always hit up the roadside places, and the food was always delicious.

A couple of barbecues to try include the Sunday Lunch at Crystal Waters, where you can join the older crowd and enjoy live music and a healthy portion of barbecued lamb, chicken or fish with lots of sides.

Also, if you don’t mind travelling a little way for your meal, head to St. George and just up the hill from the Cheffette Restaurant, you’ll find Belly Full Barbecue, arguably the most friendly and flavourful food stand on the island. We ate here numerous times and loved it.

Side of the road BBQs are one of the top places to visit in Barbados — don’t miss out!

2. Eat a Flying Fish Cutter

You really haven’t been to Barbados until you’ve eaten the famous Flying Fish Cutter. While this tasty sandwich can be found with swordfish, marlin and mahi-mahi, the original (and possibly the best) is with flying fish.

The sandwich is made with a freshly baked salt roll. This delicious bread is not salty at all and it is typically crunchy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. The roll is cut in half and filled with delicious grilled fish, lettuce, tomatoes and your choice of sauce (don’t pass on the spicy Bajan Pepper Sauce).

My favourite Flying Fish Cutter can be found at Cuz’s Fish Shack right off of the parking lot at the stunning Carlisle Bay Beach near Bridgetown. If you’re a fish fan, eating a cutter is something you don’t want to miss on your trip to Barbados.

3. Go On A Rum Tour

I think I’ve listed enough eating in Barbados so far! Now it’s time to talk about drinks. The island once earned much of its fortune from delicious rums, and you can join a rum tour to see how this cane sugar liquor is made.

Mount Gay Rum is the country’s pride and joy and the Mount Gay Distillery puts on excellent rum tours where you can learn about the history of rum production in Barbados while trying a few samples along the way.

The Signature Tour offers a tasting of 3 rums and a history lesson for $20, while the Full Signature Rum Tasting tour includes transportation, and tasting of 7 rums for a total of $50.

4. Visit Harrison’s Cave (one of the top places to visit in Barbados)

Harrison’s Cave is truly one of the natural wonders of Barbados. Located in the central uplands, the interior of this cave boasts breathtaking, crystallized limestone that drips water into impossibly clear pools.

The cave is far away from most of the tourist hotels, but there are many tours that can take you to the cave, or you can rent a car and head there on your own. A trip to Harrison’s Cave is one of the top Barbados excursions, and for good reason. Click here to learn about the tours on offer, or check out the image below.

If you’re on a budget, consider taking the local bus for just B$1.50. The bus system in Barbados is really efficient, with buses leaving Bridgetown every 30 minutes. You can take the Route 4, Shorey Village bus or the Route 4, Chalky Mount bus which runs at 8:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. The journey is about 1 hour.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com

5. Explore St. Nicholas Abbey

Here you can learn a bit about Barbados’ 350+ years of history at this wonderfully preserved plantation home. This type of architectural heritage is a brilliant way for visitors to understand what Barbados looked like a few centuries ago.

The old plantation home is set on a beautiful property of tranquil gardens, gullies and orchards with the adjacent Cherry Tree Hill. The home itself has some stunning antique furniture and decorations.

You can also visit the boiling house and rum distillery which is still working every day to produce the famous St.Nicholas Abbey Rum.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

6. Relax on Carlisle Bay Beach

Ok, I had to put one beach on the list of things to do in Barbados!

There are plenty of blissfully perfect beaches on the island of Barbados, but my personal favourite is the powder stretch of white sand at Carlisle Bay — this is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

The water here is always calm, and there are a few places on the beach (and nearby) where you can pick up snacks and cheap beer. Cuz’s is a great place to try cutters and The Boatyard Beach Club serves up tasty food as well.

*Insider tip: if you’re staying on the island, rather than just visiting for the day, you can buy a day pass ($30) to the Beach Club which includes $22.50 in restaurant credit, and use of their amenities — SUP, kayaks, beach chairs and umbrellas, volleyball, snorkelling and WiFi.

If you stick around Carlisle Beach long enough, you can enjoy sunset from here as well. Check out our full review of Carlisle Bay Beach on Virgin Holidays’ Trending Travel Guide.

7. Walk the Boardwalk

Stretching for 1.6 km between Camelot and Accra beach, this beautiful wooden walkway wanders along the sea and past many bars and restaurants. It’s well lit in some parts, but there are stretches of dark areas at night and it’s not recommended to walk late in the evening.

However, during the day this makes for the perfect place for a stroll along the water.

I recommend starting in Camelot in the late afternoon and arriving at Accra Beach for sunset. This is also a fantastic place to go swimming and you can either bring your own drinks and sit on the sand, or head into Tikki Bar (for $15 you get use of their umbrellas and chairs, and that $15 goes towards bar credit). Click here for directions to the boardwalk.

8. Check Out Fish Fry Fridays

Oistins Fish Fry Friday is an absolute must when visiting Barbados. This weekly party and fish festival is held on a serene beach on Barbados’ southwest coast and it’s the perfect place to meet new friends, both foreign and local.

You won’t find a better plate of fish anywhere on the island. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great, and there is a lot of dancing and music. Everybody seems to be in a good mood — it is Friday after all! Going to the Oistins Fish Fry is one of the best things to do in Barbados at night.

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To get to Oistins, you need to take an Oistins, Airport, Silver Sands, Sam Lords Castle, Fairy Valley or St. Christopher bus, depending on where you are staying. Either way, the cost is $2 BBD per person per ride.

9. Caribbean Crop Over

At the end of each sugarcane season, Barbados puts on its biggest festival of the year and they call it Crop Over Summer Festival. It’s the island’s most popular and colourful get together and its origins can be traced all the way back to the 1700s when Barbados was the world’s largest sugar producer.

When the sugar industry on the island declined in the 1940s, this famous festival followed suit, but luckily it was revived along with other elements of Barbadian culture in 1974 and today it’s a culture infused extravaganza that attracts hundreds of party lovers from around the world.

The festival happens every year from May to August, with the largest celebrations happening at the end with carnival celebrations. If you plan your trip to Barbados at that time, you may not only get to party like crazy, but you may share the streets with world-famous Bajan pop & hip hop star, Rihanna!

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

10. BH3 Barbados

If you have read our articles about Hashing in Grenada, you’ll know that we love these international social hiking groups. BH3 Barbados is owned and run by Hash House Harriers and it’s another great way to meet local people, get some exercise and enjoy some local rum shack culture on either end of the walk!

Click Here to find out about upcoming hikes and runs in different areas around the island. Going hashing is definitely one of the more adventurous things you can do in Barbados.

More than just beaches…

This 430 km² island has dozens of beaches and mile after mile of pristine coastline, but there’s more to Barbados than sun loungers and beach bars. Once you get away from the sand, you’ll start to understand the island a little better and you’ll have an opportunity to meet more of the nation’s lovely people and explore its diverse landscapes.

With numerous excursions in Barbados, fantastic cuisine, and easy transportation options, a trip to Barbados should definitely be on your list!

Have you ever been to Barbados? What were your favourite things to see and do? Please share with us in the comments below so we can help other travellers to better enjoy this beautiful Caribbean island. For more about Barbados, check out VisitBarbados.org.

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topfygad · 5 years ago

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Things to Do in Mallorca Beyond the Resort – Wild Junket Adventure Travel Blog

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There is SO much to Mallorca beyond the all-inclusive resorts and party towns — get out and explore with this comprehensive list of things to do in Mallorca.

Before you shrug off Mallorca as another touristy island — hear me out. Like many of you, I always thought of Mallorca as a touristy and over-commercialized island full where holiday-makers flock to.

But as I learned from my trips to Mallorca, the island IS touristy, but there are still lots of quaint Spanish, secret coves and pristine bays where tourists are few and far between. Even among the tourist swarms of mid-August, you can find pockets of silence while driving along the beautiful coastal highways and hiking up to hilltop monasteries.

Having lived in Spain for 7 years, I’ve learned a thing or two about finding secret spots and locals’ favorite haunts in Mallorca. Here is my Mallorca guide and some of the best things to do in Mallorca beyond the resorts.

Things to Do in Mallorca

How to Get to Mallorca

By Plane

Palma de Mallorca Airport is the main gateway to Mallorca. Its international airport of Son Sant Joan is just 5 miles (8 km) from the city.

The airport is easily accessible by direct flight from major cities in Europe on budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Tui and Vueling. You can get flights as cheap as $50 return from London, Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris.

If you’re flying from the US, most flights from New York to Palma cost around $500 return with a stopover in a European city. Flights from Los Angeles to Palma cost much more, at around $900 return.

Search for Cheap Flights to Mallorca

By Boat

Another way to travel to Mallorca is by ferry. There are regular ferry lines from several Spanish cities including Barcelona, Valencia and Denia to Mallorca.

The ferries usually cost around the same as flights and sometimes more. Click here to see ferry schedule and prices.

How to Get Around Mallorca

Renting a car is definitely the best way to explore Mallorca. There are public buses connecting the main towns, but they won’t get you to the scenic coastal roads, small villages and secret beaches.

Having your own wheels lets you travel independently, at your own pace. Besides renting cars in Mallorca is really affordable and roads are excellent. It’s easy to find your way around even if you don’t understand Spanish.

We booked our car rental on Discover Cars and paid around US$160 for one week rental of an economical car. The car hire company had excellent services and provided transfers in/out to the airport. It’s usually half the price during low season.

Book your Car Rental!

Day Tours in Mallorca

Mallorca is super easy to travel around, especially if you’re planning to rent a car.

But if you don’t drive, I recommend traveling independently and booking day tours or interesting experiences along the way. GetYourGuide is a good place to book day tours around the island. Day tours usually cost around US$50-100 per person.

For instance, we booked a Mallorca catamaran cruise and a visit to the Cave of Drach through their site and had a great experience. There are also plenty of exciting outdoor adventures available, such as a sea caving adventure or rock climbing experiences.

Best Time to Visit Mallorca

The best time to visit Mallorca is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September – October). I would avoid summer as it gets very busy around the island.

During spring and autumn, there are around 10 hours of sunshine each day and temperatures are up to 75°F (24°C). It’s warm enough to swim in the sea and the island is less crowded.

October is the rainiest season but rainfall is typically concentrated in heavy showers rather than persistent drizzle. Palma’s Nit de l’Art event takes place every September and sees the city’s museums and galleries fling open their doors for free.

Where to Stay in Mallorca

Best Hotels for Couples

Hotel Astoria Playa – Voted the top adults-only hotel in Mallorca by TripAdvisor users, this hotel is definitely a good option for those looking for some romance. There are two swimming pools and several jacuzzis. You can also choose from several packages to add the likes of sparkling wines, chocolates, and even ‘sensual sets’ for your stay. Check the rates.

Son Brull Hotel and Spa – This is easily our favorite hotel in Mallorca (pictured). Housed in a restored 18th-century jesuit monastery, this charming hotel tastefully combines historic architecture with edgy 21st-century design. The rural setting is also pretty special nestled among vineyards, lavender and lemon orchards in the foothills of the Tramontana sierra. Check the rates here.

Formentor, a Royal Hideaway Hotel – This vintage five-star hotel in Pollenca has been a favorite with couples since Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco honeymooned here in 1956. The hotel is set in the picturesque peninsular of Formentor, surrounded by scented pine forests and overlooking one of Mallorca’s prettiest beaches. Check the rates here.

Best Hotels for Families

Hotel VIVA Cala Mesquida – We loved our stay here and highly recommend it for families who want easy access to the beach and spacious family suites/apartments (pictured). They also have a massive kids pool area. The views from the resort are amazing, and the restaurants offer excellent food with nice views. Check the rates here.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Palma – This new and contemporary hotel has an excellent beachfront location just 15 minutes away from Palma. They have family rooms (up to 4 people) with balconies or terraces. Kids can use the indoor pool, playground and kids’ club at the Iberostar Cristina hotel next door. Check the rates here.

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa – Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Port Soller bay, this elegant hotel has spacious 2 bedroom suites, with hot tubs and fireplaces. The hotel has two pools, kids’ club and playground. Check the rates here.

Best Hotels for Budget Travelers

Hotel Born – In the heart of Palma, this well-priced historic hotel occupies a former palace just walking distance from the Cathedral and other attractions. I love the regal, traditional Spanish interior. Plus a complimentary breakfast buffet is provided. Check the rates here.

Sanctuari de Lluc – Set in the Tramuntana Mountains on the property of a 13th-century sanctuary, this historic hotel features simple rooms and apartments with full kitchens, all with private bathrooms. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, its own museum, several restaurants and shops, and parking for a fee. Check the rates here.

Hotel Citric Sóller – You really don’t have to spend alot of money in Mallorca to enjoy sea views (pictured). Close to the heart of Port de Sóller, this waterfront hotel is steps to the beach and features a bar and restaurant, a large terrace overlooking the sea, and minimalist decor. Check the rates here.

Things to Do in Mallorca: For Culture Vultures

Explore Capital of Palm de Mallorca

The capital, Palma de Mallorca, is a richly studded historical city, almost as beautiful and impressive as other Spanish cities like Granada and Seville. First head to Calle San Miguel and across Plaza Mayor. There you will find a number of different street musicians, mime artists, hawkers, and jugglers as well as many great shops.

The historical heart of Palma lies in La Seu Cathedral, a magnificent work of art. Get skip-the-line tickets to Palma Cathedral, and gain free access to the Diocese museum. Wander in any direction from the Palma Cathedral and you’ll find narrow medieval streets lined with old mansions, looming baroque churches, vibrant bohemian neighborhoods and markets.

Alternatively, sign up for a guided bike tour of Palma and you’ll get to see everything and taste some tapas along the way.

Take the Train to Soller

For locomotive fans, I recommend catching the vintage train to the town of Soller for a time-travel experience.

Since 1912, the old narrow-gauge wooden train has been linking Soller with Palma de Mallorca. It used to transport fruit to Palma, but these days, it only serves as a tourist train.

The 28 km railway journey runs through 13 tunnels and spectacular mountain scenery. The train leaves from Plaza de España and five times a day, all year round. You can also combine this with the historic tram to Port de Soller for a full day trip.

Wander around the Mountain Town of Soller

Even if you’re not taking the train, a visit to Soller is still recommended for those seeking to explore beyond their resorts.

The town is home to many Art Nouveau buildings that have been restored and converted into museums like Can Prunera and the Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences.

The main square – Plaza de la Constitución – is Soller’s beating heart, dominated by the distinctive valley landmark, Sant Bartomeu church. The tram linking town and port clunks its way regularly through this splendid square.

The market in Sóller held every Saturday is a lively event, where shoppers and traders create a real buzz.

Visit the Art Museum of Alcudia

In the gorgeous coastal town of Alcúdia, Museu Sa Bassa Blanca is a museum beautifully integrated with nature. It contains contemporary galleries and exhibition halls, plus a sculpture garden.

There’s also a medieval-walled area containing more than one hundred varieties of old and English roses, and a curious observatory installation, offering a superb vantage point across the entire bay.

As access to the observatory is limited, only adults experienced in hiking are permitted – and prior reservation must be made.

Stroll around Deia Village

Possibly the most charming village on Mallorca, Deia is perched in the Tramuntana Mountains and dotted with honeycombed stone houses and cobbled streets.

Deià was once a second home to writers, actors and musicians, the best known of whom was the English poet Robert Graves.

The hamlet is flanked by terraced gardens, almond and olive trees and the occasional vineyard – all set against the mountain backdrop of the Puig des Teix (1062m).

Explore the Capdepera Castle

Nestled atop a hill, the Capdepera Fortress was founded in 1300 to protect local residents from residents. The walled town became known Capdepera Castle, one of the largest castles on the island.

In the 16th century, there were 125 houses inside its walls, but 200 years later it became a military outpost and most of the population lived outside. It was abandoned in 1856 and in 1983 it became municipal property.

The short walk to the castle is a bit steep but well worth it.

Things to Do in Mallorca: For Nature Lovers

Visit the Caves of Drach

Around an hour’s drive from Palma de Mallorca is the famous Caves of Drach in the town of Manacor. These caves were formed millions of years ago by the water pressure of the Mediterranean sea. There are actually four separate caves connected to each other, measuring a total length of 2.5 miles (4km)!

The stalagmites and stalactites are really impressive, but the most interesting attraction of these caves is their underwater lake, known as Lake Martel. We booked this guided visit to Caves of Drach and highly recommend it as the guide was very knowledgable.

Continue your day with a visit to the Caves del Hams, famous for its fish-hook shaped stalactites and stalagmites – the cause of their unique shape is still unknown!

Book Your Day Trip to Caves of Drach:

Drive or Bike Mallorca’s Most Scenic Road

Weave your way around Tramuntana Mountains on a 12km serpentine road riddled with hairpin bends that leads to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent. Constructed in the 1930’s by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, the road features twists and turns inspired by tying a tie, some say.

The ravine views are spectacular and the thrill of weaving through narrow ridges is exciting. Driving or biking it is one of the best experiences in Mallorca and highly recommended for adventure seekers.

But be warned: it’s not for the nauseous or faint hearted. We don’t get carsick easily, so definitely loved driving this route!

Visit the Cap de Formentor Lighthouse

If you’re driving the Tramuntana Road, be sure to make a stop at the rugged and remote Cap de Formentor cape.

The lighthouse perched at the top of the cliffs is the highest in the Balearic Islands and offers the best views on the island.

You’ll get to feast on views of Menorca in the east, Cala Fiquera in the west, and Alcudia with its sandy beach in the south.

However, the view of the cliffs below is not for those with vertigo as sea roars 300m below and the winds on the headland can be vicious. It was so crazy windy when we visited my hat flew off.

Get Lost in the Charming Valldemossa Village

Since you’re driving in the Tramuntana Road, I recommend taking some time to explore the village of Valldemossa. It’s steeped in old-world charm, and sprawls across an idyllic valley in the midst of the Tramuntana mountains.

Its ancient blonde stone houses contrast vividly against the surrounding green forests of olive, oak and almond trees, and the blue sky above. Valldemossa’s quiet and picturesque streets are sprinkled with shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants.

The natural beauty of the countryside makes Valldemossa a popular place for hikers and nature lovers to base themselves. There is a myriad of trails that wind their way up through the wooded hillsides before reaching the summits where hikers are rewarded with panoramic views over Mallorca and the Mediterranean.

Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride

Looking for to see Mallorca from a different perspective? Catch a hot air balloon flight above the Tramuntana Mountains and get a bird’s eye view of Mallorca. Most rides start at dawn, so be prepared to rise early.

Help with the preparations and then glide serenely up into the air and learn more about the areas you fly over as you sip a glass of sparkling champagne.

Float back to ground and get a souvenir flight certificate of your experience before returning to the meeting point by 4WD vehicle.

Book Your Hot Air Balloon here:

Things to Do in Mallorca: For Beach Bums

Relax on Cala Mesquida Beach

Cala Mesquida is definitely one of the most kid-friendly beaches on Mallorca, with its calm and shallow water. What I love most about the beach is that it’s set among pine trees and sand dunes. The area surrounding Cala Mesquida was specially designated an “area of special interest” by the Balearic government to protect some of its wild beauty.

We’ve stayed at Hotel VIVA Cala Mesquida once, and highly recommend it for families who want easy access to the beach. The views from the resort were amazing, and I remember dining right by the sea every night. Bliss!

Find the Secret Beach of Es Calo des Moro

If Cala Mesquida is too crowded, there are plenty of quiet beaches that only locals know about. My favorite beach on Mallorca is Es Calo des Moro, a small cove that you’ll need to climb over boulders to get to.

You won’t find any hotels or beach bars here as it’s privately owned. It can get crowded in summer, but go early or visit in low season to have it all to yourself.

Head to the Remote Mondrago Natural Park

The Mondragó Natural Park is one of our favorite places on Mallorca. It is situated in the south, close to Santanyí, down tiny winding lanes lined with immaculate stone walls.

The park is famous for its fine white sand beaches and the unbelievable turquoise blue sea. Its remoteness does not stop it from being very popular, so prepare for some crowds especially if you’re going in summer.

There are a number of very beautiful beaches within the park: check out Cala Mondrago and S’Aramador Beach. Stunning cliffs reach down to crystal clear waters and the wetlands Ses Fonts de n’Alis with its migratory birds complete this nature reserve and beauty spot.

Visit the Arch Es Pontàs

Technically not a beach, this natural stone bridge is an iconic landmark that’s easily accessible by car. Es Ponta served as an inspiration for many artists who wanted to portray it in their works. One of them was the Argentine Francisco Bernareggi who did not hesitate to illustrate this hollow rock in one of his paintings.

To get there, drive to Cala Sanyantí and follow the signs that indicate the road to Es Pontás. Follow the hiking trail for 5 minutes and you will arrive at the viewpoint of the cliff.

If you are looking for an even better perspective, you can rent a boat or hire an excursion from Cala D’Or or Cala Santanyí.

Things to Do in Mallorca for Water Babies

Go Sea Caving in Cova des Coloms

For the adventure seekers out there, you’ve got to try this thrilling sea caving adventure in the Cova des Coloms caves. What makes this limestone cave so special are the natural pools inside. There are tons of caves dotted all around Mallorca, but this is the only cave system where you can swim in.

It’s quite a big cave system, so those with claustrophobia should be fine in there. All the necessary equipment will be provided, including protective helmets and a wetsuit. After a coastal walk of about 40 minutes, you’ll swim out to the cave (a distance of about 300 meters).

No prior experience in sea caving is required and you don’t have to go under the water. These vertical cave systems are a great introduction to caving, and the conditions make this the perfect adventure for beginners and families.

Book Your Sea Caving Adventure:

Go Dolphin Watching by Boat

Another great activity to do in Mallorca with kids is a dolphin watching boat trip. It’s amazing to watch these playful animals dive, frolic and play.

Best of all, it’s almost always guaranteed to spot dolphins, even though they are wild. The company we went with even had a policy where a free ticket would be given to come back anytime if we didn’t see a dolphin. But we did spot lots of them!

These trips usually start at sunrise, when the dolphins are most active. They run only from June to October. Kids under 3 go for free. Check out these dolphin watching tours.

Take a Catamaran Cruise

One of the best things to do in Mallorca for those who are looking to relax is a catamaran cruise. It’s an excellent way to explore the bay and caves, while letting your hair back and relax.

My husband and I sailed with this company before we had our daughter and had an excellent time onboard. We sailed from Palma to a beautiful cave in the south of the Palma Bay called La Cueva Verde.

From there, we continued on to the Cala Vella idyllic beaches with crystal clear waters where we swam and went kayaking. The cold cuts, wine and barbecue onboard were excellent.

Book Your Catamaran Cruise here:

Things to Do in Mallorca for Food and Wine Lovers

Try Mallorcan Food at the Market Hall

If you’re a foodie, make sure to pay a visit to the Centro Cultural S’Escorxador just outside the city centre of Palma. On the site of a former slaughterhouse is this market hall with 15 small kiosks serving everything from sushi to steak, Asian food to oysters. Portions are small and tapas-size, so you can easily choose a little of anything you fancy.

There are tons of local dishes that you need to try in Mallorca: Sobrassada is possibly the most well-known Mallorquin dish. It’s a cured sausage made of minced pork, paprika and other spices. Locals eat sobrassada in all kinds of ways, whether it’s a sobrassada baguette or even used to cook.

Another dish you must try is the Frito Mallorquin, which dates all the way back to the14th century and appears to have Jewish roots. The dish is a combination of meat (usually pork or lamb), intestine, liver, potato, tomato, onion and peppers fried with olive oil and garlic. Frito may not sound very appealing when described, but I assure you that it is absolutely delicious!

Do a Tapas Tour in Palma’s Old Town

If you’re looking for locals’ favorite haunts and secret hideouts, then you’ll have to join a tapas tour. Check out thisPalma tapas tour that will bring you to three different bars and let you taste the best the Old Town has to offer.

You’ll begin the tour at the imposing Palma Cathedral and learn all about this icon of the city. Then follow the guide through the city to see the Almudaina Palace, La Lonja and the Consolat de Mar, the governmental seat of the Balearics. Sample 3 delicious pinchos at the local bars in the old town to regain your strength, then continue on your way.

Visit the historic Es Baluard Fortress then stroll the beautiful Passeig del Born to the Plaça Mercat and the Grand Hotel. Stop into a typical tapas bar and taste a selection of warm tapas; then head to the historic town hall and the Neo-Gothic Consell Insular before indulging in a few sweet treats at the third and final bar.

Visit a Winery in Mallorca

Learn all about the history of wine growing in Majorca and enjoy breathtaking views over beautiful vineyards and the vast landscape in the center of the island. We did this Mallorca winery tour, which was absolutely worth the money as we visited three vineyards and had three different wine-tasting sessions with amazing food. By the end of it, we were thoroughly satisfied, happy and drunk.

First, you’ll visit the traditional La Raixa Estate and its amazing gardens. After that, follow the picturesque country roads from La Raixa through the wineyards of the island’s interior towards Santa Maria. Visit a quality producer and learn all about the methods of winemaking. Savor some fine wines along with regional specialties.

Then, make your way to one of Majorca’s most exclusive wine producers. Take part in a guided tour through the wine cellar and taste a selection of exquisite wines and snacks. Discover one of the most beautiful valleys of the island and admire the impressive rock formations along the way.

Book Your Winery Tour here:

I hope this detailed list of things to do in Mallorca will help you plan an exciting and fun-filled trip. Like many other parts of Spain, Mallorca has no shortage of charming villages, secret coves and rugged mountains. You just need to know where to find them!

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