Falling Love With Thai Culture

Thailand, known around the world for having the hottest capital, never being colonized by a European power, and for its beautiful culture. The main reason for me wanting to visit Thailand was through the stories of my friends that have moved here. I have been told that the Thai people have a level of respect that the USA does not have.

This country represents everything that a country in Southeast Asia would be. A beautiful mixture of South and East Asian cultures, it’s hard to ignore the influences. From the way that the people look, the food they eat, and the language, you can see East Asia and India. Buddhism here is somewhat unique to other Buddhist majority countries. With the strong Hindu and traditional Chinese beliefs making a big impact on the local culture.

What I enjoyed most about Thailand was the food. Me being an enjoyer of Indian food, you can see it in the local cuisine. They have curries here that are somewhat similar to the Indian counterparts. Indian curry is almost like a stew, while Thai curry is more light. In Indian curry, you get more blasts of flavor. Thai curry doesn’t pack the same punch. Yet, that doesn’t mean that it is not good. Thai curry is still very favorable. You also see the east Asian Influences in the noodles. If I stayed in Thailand for a month, I’m sure I would gain a few pounds.

The temples are what took my breath away. I heard they were beautiful but seeing them in person was another thing. From white marbles to all the beautiful designs, you can tell they put a lot of effort into their temples. It’s clear that Thai people are very proud of their culture.

Lastly were the traditional dances. There are 6 different forms of traditional dances in Thailand. I got to see a few. I don’t remember exactly what dance styles I watched. However, it was beautiful hearing traditional music and seeing the people dance to it. It made me feel like I was truly in Asia.

I can see why my friends love it here. The cost of living is cheap. The weather is usually hot year around. A lot better than living in New York City. Not to forget about the awesome food. This country is a place of smiles.

 

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love!Thank you so much for your support!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

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 In my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy and are links to hotels and other deals. For Hotels, make sure to click here.  Apartments make sure to click here. If you want  Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Seeing The Scale of Bangkok And Getting lost

We all heard that Asian countries are developing cities and skyscrapers at a rapid pace. However, seeing it in person gives more meaning to that statement. So, Bangkok is big and about the same size as the city of New York City. Yet, I never have seen so many cars in bumper-to-bumper traffic in my life. The beauty in the chaos is what I love about Bangkok Thailand.

downtown Bangkok Thailand

After I went to see my first Buddhist temple, I was completely out of energy. The sun of Bangkok Thailand mixed with jetlag, I had to go back and sleep for hours. Somehow, my body sleep schedule started to match the local time. The sun was setting, staying up watching all those marvel movies on the plane actually paid off. The sunsets here are so beautiful, it reminded me of my time watching the sunsets by the Nile river.

bangkok

Getting back to my accommodation ended up being a journey. So, picture yourself tired and you are just itching to lay on a bed. Out of nowhere, your tiredness made you miss your stop and you were 9 stops aways. Yeah, that was me. Like a drunken person, I stumbled off the train and started walking toward what I thought was the opposite platform. In a zombie state, I sat down and counted the many stops I missed not realizing that I was nowhere familiar.

Traffic in bangkok

Not evening looking at the stop’s name I got off. I was tired and was only thinking about laying on a bed. It wasn’t until I was off the train that I saw the mistake I just did. I went on another line and I have no idea where I was at. However, I was super tired and just couldn’t do another train ride. A taxis cab became my favorite option. Found a cab, gave my address and I was out. I woke up around 30 mins later to find us stuck in the infamous Thailand traffic.

The view outside my Airbnb

Seeing Thailand in a taxi is a must-do. You get to see the city in a whole new light. Bangkok is big like really big. What was about 9 stops took us almost an hour. Seeing the buildings, car traffic, and the people made me realize how similar this city is compared to New York City. I used to think Thailand was underdeveloped. However, it’s very modern. Being the hottest Capital City in the world with great culture and people. I can see why Bangkok, before COVID, was the most visited city in the world. It is world-class without world-class prices.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe and travel safe everyone! Much love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

If you want videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
My underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Some links for each hope you all enjoy! Here are links to hotels and other deals. Hotels, make sure to click here. Apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here and villas click here. ALso bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

 

Visting A Buddhist Temple For The First Time

It was my first day in Thailand and I had to see a Buddhist Temple. I couldn’t wait to rest up. My main reason for coming to Thailand was to experience the Buddhist culture. There was no time for no sleep. I was in a city of 33,902 active temples.

I asked around and there was a temple nearby to where I was staying. Well, not too close but like 5 stops aways. My imagination was running wild. I kept thinking about the monks in the mountains training martial arts. Of course, I was wrong about that.

After about 30 mins, I found the temple. Constantly reminded of Thailand’s sun. It was about a 15-minute walk from the train station. With the sun, it felt like it was twice as long. It was snowing back home in New York. The change of weather can affect you in mysterious ways.

You are greeted with a Buddhist Statue. I had my video camera out. An employee of the temple told me to turn off my camera. However, he did explain to me about Thailand and it’s culture. I learned that Thailand was never colonized by Europe like all its neighbors. So, a lot of the Buddhist temples here have no European influences.

The further I went inside, the more colors I saw. The 20 foot Buddhist Statue stood tall. You can tell that the locals here really care about their religion. The Statues are well kept and you see tons of donations. Sadly, I didn’t see anybody praying. It seems like this temple was more of a tourist attraction. Tried to remember and find the name of this temple. However, after looking at about 100 temples none look like this one. I truly wished I could remember the name of this temple. Since it was the first one I have been to. Thai words are difficult to remember for me.

There was a back entrance to the temple. I walked towards it to find another big statue. Looks like Buddhism and the Buddhist culture really like images of buddha. Every different compared to Islam. I noticed that all the statues in the temple were made of out gold. Made me wonder if gold is considered holy in Buddhism. Thailand has been good so far. Couldn’t wait to visit more temples and the country.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe and travel safe everyone! Much love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

If you want videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
My underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Some links for each hope you all enjoy! Here are links to hotels and other deals. Hotels, make sure to click here. Apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here and villas click here. ALso bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Arriving in Thailand

After my layover in Wuhan, I was on the plane to go somewhere so foreign to me. I have never been to a Buddhist majority country. Growing up, I never knew anyone who was Buddhist. Although, there were a few Buddhist temples where I lived. No one I met was Buddhist. I learned about this religion through Japanese cartoons and comic books. Needless to say, I was excited to learn about Thailand’s culture. I was told by friends, the Buddhist temples in Thailand are hard to match elsewhere. I’m sure out of my comfort zone.

A shrine at the Bangkok airport photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Once I arrived at the airport, you are greeted with signs saying that Thailand is the land of smiles. Never associated Thailand and smiles before reading that statement. Actually, never thought much about Thailand before this. I finally got to the immigration line at the airport. It was long and somewhat chaotic. Although, there was still an order. However, a group of kids dressed as monks kept cutting everybody. They would find spots in the line to wander and pretend they were there the whole time. Me being aware of my surroundings, I picked up on it quickly. One even cut the people in front of me. I noticed that people were somewhat aware but for some reason, everybody was just ignoring it. So, I didn’t make a big deal out of it. It might have been a cultural norm and I didn’t want to be that “guy.”

Statue to scare off evil spirits photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

About an hour past, it was finally my turn to speak with the immigration officer. Did the normal routine, gave my passport and etc. What struck me odd was the big smile the officer gave me, when he handed me back my passport. Maybe it was the sign that I read before. Yet, I don’t remember any immigration officer giving me such a big smile. I would get the normal fake smile, the stone face, or the nod, and the officer saying, “sir.” Maybe this country is the land of smiles.

Past the line, I was now in Thailand. What really stood out to me were the statues. I learned they scare off evil spirits. Yet, I can just picture my super Christian grandma freaking out thinking the statue is some kind of a demon.

Beautiful grass photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I was out of the airport. Took a train to get to my air bnb apartment. After unpacking and taking a long needed shower, it was time to explore. Not trying to get too lost, I only explore what was around me. It was actually not too far from downtown. Only four stops away from the center of the city. To my surprise, Thailand is very developed. I was not expecting such a beautiful skyline that can rivalry majority of the cities in the USA. Even the metro is pretty advance.

The 7/11

Yeah, this was the weird part. I went to get some water at a 7/11. Thailand was hot even during December. I got out and started walking a few blocks. When another 7/11 showed up. I found it weird but didn’t think much of it. Until walked about a block, when I saw another one. It was three 7/11s within 4 blocks from each other. I guess the Thai people really love 7/11.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe and travel safe everyone! Much love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Off to Thailand…Hopefully: Red Flags On the Journey to The East

Winter was here in NYC. The cold breeze with the white snow looked like a scene out of any of the Home Alone movies. I was sitting in my office desk hoping to be elsewhere. Thinking of all the warm climates that New York City did not offer. Eventually, I got a notification for tickets that the price had dropped. It was for a flight from NYC to Bangkok priced at 450. I just had to buy the tickets for a return in mid-December. Nobody knew was brewing around the same time in that part of the world. Hard to believe, it would cause so many deaths.

Snow On a New York Winter Day

Of course, I jumped on that deal. I was off to Thailand at the end of November. Well, I wished things were that easy. Sadly, nothing is very that easy. Looking at my passport, I realized it would expire in March 2020. That meant, most countries wouldn’t allow me in because I’m high risk of missing my return flight. The flight was just a week away. There was no time to spare. Or, so I thought.

Paying extra to get my passport renewed photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Started applying for a new passport at the nearby FedEx store. In case something were to happen, I can always get the overnight option. It’s funny looking back, there were so many obstacles thrown at me. Maybe that was a sign that I shouldn’t have gone. However, me being stubborn I ignored all these signs and pushed through.

This trip was going to be epic. One week in Thailand and then, a few days in Malaysia. Hopefully, I can squeeze Cambodia as well. Gave Fedex the most valuable item to a traveler, their passport. Did all the paperwork. It was time to wait. Three days passed by, my flight was in 4 days. I decided to randomly check my passport status. Logged into the website and I saw the process on hold, reason: missing paperwork. I started to freak out a little. Had to find the solution quickly or I won’t be able to go to Asia. I remember I did all the paperwork right, one of the FedEx employees even double-checked it. It was weird that I could be missing a few pages. This was another sign that I probably shouldn’t have gone on this trip. Ignoring the sign, paid for the overnight service to make sure I could get the passport in time.

Flying to Asia photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Friday came, my flight was tomorrow and the new passport arrived. I was super happy and excited. Had to do last-minute packing because I wasn’t 100 percent sure that I was going to be able to travel. Packed like a wild person. After a few hours, I was ready.

It was Saturday, the time of my flight arrived. Got on the plane, looking at the plane tickets. I noticed that I never actually flown on China Southern Airlines. Nor have I heard of a place called Wuhan, China. Had to google the city before the plane took off. Found out it was the third-largest city in China. Looks like I will have a good time exploring Wuhan. Glad I had the chance to be there twice. It was time for take-off and I was off to a journey to the east that the world will never forget.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love!Thank you so much for your support!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Top 10 things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey has always been a city I wanted to visit. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time. Ironically, every time I want to visit, events out of my control prevent me. This is to show you all why Istanbul should be on your list. Or at least, it will give you a reason to revisit this historical city.

So here are the top 10 things to do in Istanbul!

1) Visit The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) And Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

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Probably one of the most famous things to do in Istanbul. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque are world-known landmarks. The history behind these buildings is so rich. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was once the largest church in the eastern Roman Empire. Built by the Roman emperor Justinian the Great, The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has been a staple center in the city’s history. From the Romans to when the Ottomans took over, The Hagia Sophia has stood beautifully. It was converted to a mosque in 1453 by the ottomans. In 1935, Hagia Sophia was turned into a Museum to becoming a mosque again this year in 2020. Have a walk in history, where Islam and Christianity are deeply rooted in one building.

blue-mosque-1851032_1920

Now the Blue mosque should not be ignored. It was built by Sultan Ahmet I to reassert Ottoman power. The beauty of the Blue is hard to match. Not too far from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it is a must-have when visiting Istanbul. Be in awe with the blue tiles and architecture.

2) Have a taste of Two Continents 

Where East meets West. Have a taste of Asia and Europe while drinking some Turkish Coffee.  From what friends have told me, Turkey is surprising European. Most expected it to be more Middle Eastern or Arab. However, they learned it is a mixture of the two continents. Anywhere where cultures blend, the food tends to be amazing. Turkey definitely proves that statement right. I have eaten Turkish food in New York City. Yet, all my friends that have been to Turkey have told me there is a difference. It’s like having Italian food in Italy vs pizza hut. There is just no comparison. Try Etli ekmek, a Turkish pizza-like dish with a beer. Yes, a beer in a Muslim majority country. There are tons of bars in Istanbul. You can have Shish Kebab with middle eastern spices that can match anything in the Arab world. If you want something more European,  Çiğ köfte which is the Turkish version of steak tartare. Turkey has a mixture of two beautiful continents and shows it in its cuisine. A Food tour is definitely one of the things to do in Istanbul.

3) Explore the less touristic neighborhood of Ortaköy

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Ortaköy is a neighborhood in Istanbul that is not easy to get to. Unless you know about this area. You have to take a bus or a ferry from the Kabatas tram stop. At night you can have to use a taxi to get in or out of this area. Might be difficult to find this neighborhood. However, it is worth the trouble.  During the day, you get breathtaking views of the Bosphorus bridge while sipping some Turkish coffee. At night time, this the club hub. You get a beautiful view of the bridge at night while hearing music blasting from the nightclubs. If you do end up going here, you need to know this. It is somewhat becoming the “hipster and yuppie” area. So, everything will become more expensive as time goes on.

4) Cross the Bosphorus bridge

The bridge that connects two continents together. Its beauty is breathtaking and will leave you in awe. Sadly, you are not allowed to walk across the bridge anymore. You have to drive or take a cruise. Yet, that shouldn’t stop you from seeing this bridge in person. You literally will be in another continent once you cross it. This is definitely should be on your list of things to do in Istanbul.

5) Visit the many museums of Instanbul  

Instanbul is blessed to be a city with so much history. Everywhere you turn there is 1000’s of years worth of history just waiting to be found. You can stop by the Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi Müzesi). It was once the home of the Ottoman Sultans. With only about 11 dollars, you get to see how the Sultans lived.  Also, stop by the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. It has many artifacts like Islamic coins and a tomb that dates back to the 1st century. It is truly worth the trip if you are into history.

6) Visit the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)

 If you are in Istanbul, you have to visit this landmark. The Basilica Cistern is Istanbul’s largest surviving Byzantine cistern. For those who don’t know, a cistern is a place where rainwater is collected. This Cistern once supplied water to the Great Palace of Constantinople. The Great Place was once the home of many emperors for 100’s of years.  There are statues of Medusa’s Head lurking about. I’m sure it must be a creepy place to visit at night. Imagine walking through here at midnight on Halloween. Tours can be very expensive. Make sure to watch out for the prices. It can range from 40 dollars to about 600!

7) Stop By the Dolmabahçe Palace

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Near the Bosphorus Bridge, stands this beautiful building. Its mixtures of styles are the ultimate symbol of Istanbul’s history.  It was built in the 1800s, for the last Ottman sultan. The building’s architecture is mixed with Arab and European designs. The tickets lines are long here and the ticketing offices close early. So, it is best to visit earlier in the day.

8) Check out the Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)

To get a breathtaking view of the city, you must stop by the Galata Tower. It was once a jail. However, it was restored in the 1960s. They added an observation deck making this tower a tourist hot stop. There is also a nightclub and restaurant at the top of the tower. In case you haven’t noticed, Istanbul has a strong nightlife. If you are into those types of things.

9) Take a stroll at the Grand Bazaar (Kapaliçarsi)

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Visiting Istanbul will not be complete if you do not stop by the Grand Bazaar. Get a feel of the Middle East while walking through the many shops of the Grand Bazaar. I have been to a few Bazaars throughout my trips. It is always filled with life and energy. Kind of reminds me of the wall street movies. From carpets to random artifacts, you can find almost anything here. From what friends and many other people say, this Bazaar is not pushy like the ones in the Middle East. In my past trips, one of the workers would follow you for a bit telling you all the deals. Here in Instanbul, that is not the case. The merchants are friendly. However, don’t let that fool you. They still want to get as much money from your pockets as they can. So, be prepared to bargain if you want to buy something. There also two Turkish bathhouses located here. Truly worth the trip!

10) Take a Coffee and Tea Tour 

Turkish coffee is known throughout the world. If you are a coffee person, it would be a shame not to go on a coffee-sipping tour. There are many tour companies that take you to the best coffee shops in Istanbul. You can learn to make Turkish coffee! It is definitely worth the tour fee. A lot of coffee tour companies also offer tea tours. For those who don’t know,  Turkish tea is pretty good. They add sugar to it. It’s similar to the teas of North Africa. Hint, they were once a part of the Ottoman Empire. Taking a Coffee and Tea tour is should be on your list of things to do in Istanbul.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Stand strong Lebanon! Stay safe everyone!

I was going to write a normal post but I felt it’s more appropriate to give tribute to a country that always bounces back. lebanon-2131274_1920.jpg

This country I have been wanting to visit for such a long time and explore that part of my ancestry. However, there always something happening in this country that made me want to visit later. When the climate was more peaceful. beirut-5172850_1920 I’m sure most of you all know by now what has happened in Lebanon. Two huge explosions hit the capital city. Everything in a 6-mile radius was hit by the boom of the second explosion. Right now, a confirmed 70 people have lost their lives. If you saw the videos, I’m sure the death toll will probably be near or above 1000. It is currently being under investigation to see if this was a terrorist attack or not. In my heart and gut feeling, I have a suspicion that this was a terrorist attack. coast-4845995_1920.jpg

They said it was a fireworks factory that blew up. The first explosion I can see it possibly being caused by what the chemicals fireworks are made out of. However, the second explosion looked different. palm-trees-5162018_1920.jpg

Stand strong to a beautiful and small country that always bounced back. A small country that had such a big impact on the world. Through its history, diaspora, and culture.

 

Stay safe everybody and enjoy your loved ones. There were a lot of people who woke that day thinking it was going to be normal. Who are now not able to have another chance to wake up again.

 

Only love here!

Saying goodbye to Wuhan, China

In a city full of people, in a country very far away. I was amazed at that all the friendly smiles I got. Saying good bye to Wuhan didn’t mean much to me at the time I experienced it, versus the time I write this. It’s very heartbreaking knowing what happened to this beautiful city after I left.

The subway station photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Got off randomly at a stop near the airport. Wanted to see a little more of Wuhan before I go. Everything was so clam and quiet in this neighborhood. Almost like a suburban area. You wouldn’t think that you were in the middle of a city with a population of 50 million. It’s hard to believe how calm and quiet was everything. Felt like some areas in queens NYC.

The local neighborhood sign photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Saw a huge sign and had a hint I was in wuhan’s linkong green ecological district. I mean it had large letters in English. It was hard not to know where I was at. Lost in my thoughts, I kept thinking about my time in China. Such a beautiful city that I hope to visit again. From the friendly people on the streets to the little girl in the subway that wanted to take picture with me because she never seen someone who looked like me in person. I had a great time learning and experiencing the chinese culture.

Marriott hotel photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Kept walking forward until I found a Marriott hotel. It was in the color red to match China. I have gotten so used to seeing american chains around the world that it didn’t surprised me to see a Marriott here. It was just another sign that the airport is nearby. Also, another reminder that I was leaving. Had to face reality, my time was up. I wanted to explore a little bit more. However, there was a seat on a plane headed towards NYC that had my name on it.

The sunsetting as if it’s saying good bye photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Saying good bye is always hard. Especially, now that I know what this city went through after I left. It’s currently happening where I live now. To the awesome people I met here, I hope they are okay. Grew so much as a person here. This is a trip that changed me in so many ways. During my time there and after I left. I will truly treasure my time in Wuhan and can’t wait to go back, once this virus settles down.

Got to the airport on time and went through the security line. As planned, my seat was waiting for me. Wuhan will become a thing of the past. A part of china nobody talks about. Or so I thought, who would had known the events that would happen here the months following.

Much love and safe travels! Please keep clean everyone!! Wash your hands!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe
For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links!

Heading towards the Wuhan Airport

My time was almost up in Wuhan. The clock was ticking. Saying good bye to a place that treated me so well would be hard. The bright smiles and the honesty I experienced was hard to replicate elsewhere.

Spongebob in wuhan photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

On my way back to the train station, I found this shop. It’s clear Pokemon and Japanese cartoons are big here. What surprised me was seeing spongebob. I could just picture all the censoring that show gets just to be aired on Chinese televisions. That show is not for kids at times. There’s a lot of hidden adult jokes. Plus, spongebob’s friend Patrick does nothing all day. Not sure if the Chinese government would let people do that.

The ticket machine of wuhan metro photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Went to the subway, it was business as usual. The subway ticket machines have the option to translate everything to English. So, I had no difficulties getting around. Just hard to think as what happened in current events. I was litterly in the belly of the beast when it comes to this virus. I was probably in a subway cart with someone had the corona virus. If not that, the subway cart at one point of the day had someone infected riding it. It’s almost hard to believe.

Side walk photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I decided to get off at a random stop. I just wanted to see a little more of Wuhan and how the locals really live. The place I went was non-touristic. Expect the Highway, everything was very calm. Very few people on the streets.

The apartment buildings photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The whole area was calm. It was just in front of a freeway. However, not many car passed by. I sat to reflect my on journey in Wuhan. I have had some amazing moments here. Been treated with respect everywhere I went. People with smiles trying to help me out without having bad intentions. This is a place, I would have to visit again. I have nothing but love and respect for the Chinese people.

Sunset photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

As the sun was setting, I had to walk back to the subway station. Every time I leave a country, I always reflect on how much I grown as a person. The negativity I was expecting when I came here was all in my prejudice thoughts. I wish I could see a little more of china before leaving. At that moment, I wanted to get off in another stop to see just a little bit more of Wuhan.

Much love and safe travels! Please keep clean everyone!! Wash your hands!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe
For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links!

Meeting a new furry friend in Wuhan China

My time in Wuhan was coming to an end. Sadly, most of us know what happened to this beautiful city after I left. Writing this gives me mixed emotions. Love the fact that I met some awesome people here. I’m also heartbroken to what they recently went through. Either way, this trip gave me a stronger level of respect to the Chinese people. They are very warm and respectful. Compared to the Chinese I met outside of china.

Entrance to the small garden photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Had one more part of the park to explore. It was another garden. However, it was a little different. Now, I know that panada bears weren’t running around freely here. To my surprise, another animal was.

The tree in the middle photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Once you past the entrance, you see a tree in the middle. Had no idea what type of tree it was. Nor, did I know what the signs were saying. One of the main eye openers that I experienced in china was how beautiful nature is here. When I thought about China, all I knew was from the movies and TV shows. There were only factories and grey apartment buildings. Also, panada bears..(yeah, I’m still a little salty). However, China is much more than that!

Another cat I want to take home photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

As you see in the pictures, China has so many colors. It’s truly a beautiful place. I really recommend going after the virus dies down. Might be best to get travel health insurance. Very different than the normal travel insurance. Don’t really need to explain in detail. I’m sure you all can tell by the name, what is the difference of the two. One focuses on health and the other on flight delays.

Anyways, back to the story. There was a little trail on the side to the garden. Started following up the steps and I felt someone was watching me. You know that gut feeling of someone watching your every move. Kept looking around to see if there was some type of camera nearby. When I found a group of wild domesticated cats in the bushes. Being the cat lover that I am, I started calling for them. Most ran away. Only one stayed looking at me. I wanted to pet it so bad. Of course, I don’t want more complications while going through US immigration. Like why you smuggling cats? Never want to be asked that. I’m sure there are special jails for cat burglars in airports.

The shrine at the top of the trail photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Went to the top of the trail. There was a little shrine. I wish I knew what it meant. This little shrine was like a relaxation stop to sit and watch. The trail went on but to get back to the entrance. Truly enjoyed this part of China. Sadly, it was almost time for me to head back to the airport.

Thank you so much for reading! Much love and safe travels! Please keep healthy everyone!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe
For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links!

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