The Travel Mentor - Page 2 of 11

Tiki’s Grill & Bar on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii: Fish tacos and gyoza

Posted on April 10, 2017

You can't beat the views from the restaurant overlooking the ocean

Tiki’s Grill & Bar, located across the street from Waikiki Beach at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, is one of my favorite spots in Honolulu for happy hour drinks and food. Every time I return to Hawaii, I make a stop here, whether with friends, family, or even alone. There’s just something special about this place for me. Maybe because my dad would bring me here when I was younger on my much-anticipated yearly trips to Hawaii. Today, the food,…

First time using Lyft? Important things you need to know

Posted on March 31, 2017

Uber may be the king of ridesharing services, but Lyft is not far behind. As with Uber, Lyft gives me the ability to request, track, and pay for a ride at the tip of my fingers. It’s such a simple yet brilliant idea that millions are now using. But with any new technology comes pros and cons. You hear stories on the news and from friends and family. Some swear by the service while others avoid it at all costs.…

Jingzun Peking Duck Restaurant: Best cheap roast duck in Beijing, China

Posted on March 24, 2017

The specialty, the Beijing Roast Duck, Jingzun Peking Duck Restaurant, Beijing, China

In Beijing, it seems as if there’s a roast duck restaurant on every corner. One of them is Jingzun Peking Duck Restaurant. The casual restaurant, busy with both locals and expats, is popular for their affordable and delicious Peking duck. Peking duck is a specialty in Beijing. If you’re a foodie headed here, you should add it to your food bucket list. With that said, eating roast duck is often a special occasion, meaning expensive and fancy. When I’m in…

Electronics larger than a smartphone banned on certain airlines flying into U.S., U.K.

Posted on March 21, 2017

Planning to fly between U.S. and Middle East or Africa? If so, you may need to leave your electronics including iPads and laptops in your checked baggage. This ban includes, but is not limited to, electronics such as laptops, digital cameras, iPads, tablets, DVD players, and gaming devices. Exempt from the list are cellular phones, smartphones, and medical electronic devices. Based on new intelligence, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided to enforce these new…

Tonki: For 80 years, serving the best tonkatsu in Tokyo, Japan

Posted on March 10, 2017

Rohsu-Katsu Teishoku. 160g of perfectly fried loin cutlet at Tonki Tonkatsu in Tokyo, Japan

Out of all the tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) restaurants in Tokyo, numbering in the thousands, nowhere seems to do it as well as Tonki near Meguro Station. For almost 80 years, Tonki has been serving tonkatsu, a type of pork cutlet which is breaded in Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until crispy. It may be old-fashioned, but Tonki is an institution of Tokyo. Many will debate which is better: Tonki or Maisen. I tend to side with Tonki and I’m…

Purchasing a Japan Rail Pass? Important things you need to know

Posted on February 22, 2017

If you are planning to travel to Japan, and want to explore this beautiful country by train, then purchasing a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a must. These train passes, good for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days of travel, will allow you to move around the country effortlessly, and most importantly, economically. When traveling to a new country, and using a new form of transportation, you probably have questions such as: What is a Japan Rail Pass? How…

Los Tacos No.1 at Chelsea Market: The best tacos in New York City

Posted on December 23, 2016

Located in a small corner of Chelsea Market is Los Tacos No. 1, an unassuming taco stall serving up some of the best tacos in New York City. For something so simple, it’s surprising how hard it is to find a decent taco on the East Coast, until now. Three friends, from Mexico and Southern California, have answered the prayers of foodies on the East Coast by bringing authentic and delicious Mexican tacos to New Yorkers. The Los Tacos No.…

El Aljibe in Havana, Cuba: Famous Restaurant Serving Roast Chicken

Posted on November 28, 2016

Roasted Chicken, the specialty of El Aljibe

A few miles west of Old Town Havana is El Aljibe, a state-owned, open-air restaurant popular with tourists for the family style roast chicken, served the same way for over 60 years. The first time I heard about El Aljibe was while watching Anthony Bourdain’s show ‘Parts Unknown.’ When I saw Anthony eating perfectly roasted chicken marinated in a secret orange sauce and luscious black beans, I knew I had to try this place. If you don’t have a rental…

Sveitagrill Miu (Mia’s Country Grill) in Skogar, Iceland: Fish and chips

Posted on October 17, 2016

Cod Fish and Chips from Sveitagrill Miu (Mia's Country Grill) in Skogar, Iceland

While searching for places to eat in Iceland, I discovered Sveitagrill Miu (Mia’s Country Grill), a tiny fish and chips food truck located near Skogafoss waterfall. Iceland, waterfalls, fish and chips. In my opinion, it doesn’t get better than that. If you aren’t familiar with Skogafoss, make sure you add it to your list of must visit places to see in Iceland. At 200 feet tall, Skogafoss is one of the biggest and most powerful waterfalls in the county. With…

13 amazing Buddhist temples in Japan you should not miss

Posted on September 12, 2016

Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto

13. Nanzenji Temple – Kyoto Not far from one end of the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto is Nanzenji Temple, an extensive temple surrounded by smaller sub-temples. While the main grounds are free to enter, the surrounding temples require an entrance fee. Hard to miss is San-mon Gate, an enormous wooden gate first constructed in 1628. Just outside Hojo is a unique site that seems out of place: a large brick aqueduct. This aqueduct was built during the Meiji Period between…

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