Archive | June, 2012

Narita City – By the airport but off the beaten path

Chiba Prefecture is located right next door to Tokyo and it’s the home of Narita International Airport. This is the main international airport serving the greater Tokyo area and it’s probably where you’ll fly in if you’re going to Japan. What most people don’t realize is that there’s much more than just an airport here.
Read More >>

On the train to Thessaloniki

As far as train stations are concerned, Athens’ Larissa station – the City’s principal terminus – is far from impressive. Aside from the drunkards who line the main platform and its graffiti-scrawled walls, it is not much larger than your average London overland rail station, which is perhaps consistent with a country where people will
Read More >>

Shanghai’s Hidden Dining Gems

A villa in Shanghai's famed former French concessionShanghai is by far one of China’s sexiest and most cosmopolitan cities, and expats living here are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine dining and entertainment. This is a city that takes pride not just in serving great food, but also in presenting it wonderfully in the most romantic and atmospheric of settings.
Read More >>

10 Must-Have iPhone Apps for Dubai Expats

If you have an iPhone and are an expat in Dubai, there are some iPhone applications (apps) you absolutely must have. Not only will they make your life easier but they’ll make living in Dubai a breeze by giving you all the information you need at your fingertips. There’s never been a time where I
Read More >>

Thai cooking schools in Phuket

Key Thai ingredients include green and red chilli, galangal, green peppercorns, lemongrass, shallots and tumericThai cuisine boasts some of the most interesting, flavourful and healthy dishes in Asia, which is probably why it is so well received the world over. While most of us are familiar with Thailand’s better known dishes like tom yang goong, pineapple rice, green curry, papaya salad and pad thai, these are just the tip
Read More >>

The (short) expat’s guide to Beijing

Tiananmen Square and the entrance to the Forbidden CityFor most expats, it’s a case of love it or hate it with Beijing. With a population of almost 22 million people, poor air quality and hazardous traffic, Beijing is not exactly the easiest of cities to get used to. However, as China’s cultural and educational centre, Beijing is the place to be today, as
Read More >>

How to eat cheaply in Japan

Time service is the best time to shop if you're looking for a deal in JapanJapan has one of the world’s highest costs of living. While the Japanese themselves have long accepted this, it comes as a shock to most expats as soon as they land at the airport and discover the cost of the train fare to their accommodation. These high prices include the price of food in both
Read More >>

Wham Bam Amsterdam!

AmsterdamA haven for stag and hen weekends, the homes of Rembrandt and Anne Frank and the city where ‘total football’ was supposedly invented. It has so many distinct personalities appealing to people on so many different levels, that it is hardly surprising Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in Europe. With over a
Read More >>

Exploring Dubai’s Neighbouring Emirates: Sharjah

SharjahExpats here often claim that Dubai never runs out of things to do. Every time you think you’ve experienced it all, something new comes up. Dubai residents love claiming that they don’t need to venture to other UAE emirates for anything. However, no matter how much one loves living in Dubai and trying everything it
Read More >>