Local Travel Tip

Making sure you are eating good food is more than half the cultural experience in Hawaii.  Without stumbling upon or asking the locals where the best places to eat are, chances are you won’t find them.

Most of  the best places are what some may call “holes-in-the-wall.”  Here are some good places to eat while you are visiting the beautiful islands in Hawaii.  It’ll be our little secret.

Mitsu-Ken

If you are interested in trying some amazing garlic chicken and fried rice, Mitsu- Ken is the place for you.  Located on 1223 N School St in Honolulu, it can be hard to miss.  Just make sure you look for the long line of people leading out to the street.  Mitsu Ken is very reasonable but is only open for breakfast and lunch.  So hurry down to Kalihi and don’t miss out on this one.

Liliha Bakery

Talk about those cream puffs! Hawaii’s favorite bakery just a little further from Mitsu-Ken is known for the best chantilly cream puffs on the island, and quite arguably the best cream puffs in the world!  Located on 515 N. Kuakini Street in Honolulu, Liliha Bakery is worth the visit–trust me.

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

Now if you are looking to try some great authentic Hawaiian food, Helena’s is the place to go.  Located on 1240 N School St in Honolulu, Helena’s is right across the street from Mitsu- Ken!  This place is truly amazing.

Again, I know a lot of these places look like legitimate dives but like I said, these are just some of Oahu’s best places to eat.  I promise it will be worth it!

Thailand is the land of smiles.  It is also the land of traveling on the cheap!  We’ll see just how low cost Thailand really is.

The airplane tickets are going to be your biggest expense to anywhere is Asia, between $700-$1200 per ticket.  But once you’re there, you’ll be surprised at how much you dinner will cost.

When eating on the street, you’ll find a meal for $.66.  My wife and I often ate 3 or 4 course meals for $25 total; this was a life I could get used to.

I was surprised at the cost of a Taxi in Bangkok.  It seemed to round out to about 1USD per mile.  If you’re willing to take the bus, you’ll be paying around $.10 per ride.

If you’re going, everyone will tell you to head to Kao San Road.  For the most part, this is true.  I would hop in the taxi and tell them to take you there.

There are plenty of guesthouses, and you’ll find one easily. BUT, and this is a big BUT, I would only book 2 or 3 nights, and go to find something elsewhere.

Kao San Road is expensive compared to other parts of the city.  Even the roads around Kao San will be cheaper.

Personally, I’m not into the party scene, so I didn’t mind being away from Kao San Road, and still found plenty of cultural restaurants, museums, and sites to see.

The trick is getting out there and really exploring.  I had a guide book with me at all times, and was able to find things worth seeing, no matter what part of the country I was in.

Thailand really is as low cost as they say, and is worth checking out!  I would definitely set aside a good 4 weeks to get all the exploring that you want.

So, you heard right, the low cost Thailand really is worth it.

When it comes to wining and dining, the Colombians know where it’s at!  This week’s international travel HOT SPOT is: Bogota, Colombia.  OK, now I know most of you are thinking of the travel warning issued by the United States Department of State which says, “The Department of State warns American citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia.”  Although it is a country that has been affected by narco-terrorist groups for several decades (sad, but true), the beauty and richness of the culture is unmatched by any other country in the world. Therefore, in order to enjoy your trip to Colombia, I invite you to take into consideration all of the International Travel Safety Tips mentioned in this blog.

Now, lets talk about INCREDIBLE restaurants.  In my book, an amazing trip consists of great food and an awesome environment (people, location, ambiance, etc).  Let me reiterate: great food + awesome environment = amazing trip.  If you feel the same way I do, then the Colombian restaurant for you is Andres Carne de Res.

With only two locations in the entire country (one in Bogota and one in Chia), ACR has won the hearts and appetites of millions of locals and tourists over the years.  Nicknamed by some as the Basilica of Beef, ACR offers a dining experience unlike any other.  It has been described best as, “one part traditional Colombian fare, 3 parts art gallery, and a pinch of nightclub all finished with a garnish of theatrical whimsy. The decor alone is worth the trip.”  The walls, beams, bathrooms, chairs, and lamps of this open-air barn have been decorated from top to bottom with everything from brightly painted bottle caps to mannequin limbs (yes, kind of weird…but awesome decoration!).  It is most definitely a sight to see!

Their menu includes traditional plates such as Sancocho (homemade stew with yucca), Ajiaco con Pollo, Arepa con Huevo, Lomo de Cerdo, and much more.  However, the food alone isn’t what makes ACR what it is today.  Amidst the comfort of the  hanging art and the eccentric decor, you’ll find that in the evenings ACR becomes one of the most popular “nightclubs” in town.  Salsa, merengue, and vallenato are played from dusk until dawn.

Whether you go just for the food or to spend a fun evening with your friends/family, your experience at ACR is sure to be a memorable one.