5 Travel Tips to Live/Leave By

1. Plan Ahead: Probably the most cliched of all travel tips - this can help you save some serious cash. Air tickets are cheaper when you buy in advance. Many hotels also have early bird offers if you book at least 2 weeks in advance. Also, if you are a credit card user, make your bookings on booking.com or agoda.com - they offer fantastic rates and in most cases, cancellation charges do not apply. Of course, some hotels are ahead of the game and offer guaranteed best rates if you book through their website. For example, I got a better rate by directly booking on the Soaltee Crown Plaza, Kathmandu website. However, for Club Himalaya, Nagarkot, I got a better rate on booking.com. These are both in comparison to their published rates. Be sure to cross check rates and read the fine print on cancellation charges.
Planning ahead also has the added advantage of pissing your boss off considerably less than you would if you gave him/her a short notice. It lets you work ahead and makes sure you don't have another ton of work waiting for you when you get back.

2. Invest in Internet: And a smartphone of course. Get an internet-enabled SIM at your destination. There are some fantastic travel apps that let you explore your surroundings. They offer suggestions, tips and reviews from other travelers. Some of them include TripAdvisor, Wikitude and of course, the Lonely Planet guide apps. Make sure you have a weather app and a currency exchange app too. I use WeatherTrax and XE. Some cities have dedicated apps dedicated to themselves, such as YourSingapore. Check if your destination has such an app and download right away. These are usually free. If you are not a fan of taking the train in a new city, then get a taxi application. Guidebooks are for tourists looking to get scammed.

3.Eat Healthy: I'm not even kidding right now, especially if you're on a shoestring budget. If you are travelling to eat, then forget about it.  If you are staying in a hotel, make the most of the breakfast buffet. Load up on complex carbs that will keep you full for longer. If you are in a country where tap water is drinkable, fill up your water bottle before you head out. Stock your back pack with apples or buy local produce on the move to munch on and skip a proper lunch. Under any circumstances, DO NOT come back to your hotel on an empty stomach. Eat dinner outside where you have cheaper options. Room service and hotel restaurants are expensive and usually rubbish. If you get peckish at night, stock up on fruits.

4. Pack sensibly: You don't need new clothes for every day of your holiday. It is unlikely that will become disgustingly dirty. Air out your T-shirt and wear it again after a day. If you're a clean freak then soak it in soapy water in the sink for 20 minutes, rinse and hang to dry. A good pair of pants (weather specific)  be your best friend. Check with the hotel if they have hair dryers (most do) and pack accordingly.
If you intend to shop till you drop, pack an extra bag in your luggage. Whenever I shop at airport duty free outlets, I make sure I have enough space in my backpack or have another carry on bag to place my loot in. Carrying heavy plastic bags can be painful and you stand the chance of losing things from them as well.

5. Research: Research and more research. Whether it's your first time in a city or your fifth, there's always something new to see, eat, explore, attend and buy. Is there a concert happening during your time there? Any festivals? Sale season perhaps? Special sightseeing packages? Check official tourism department websites, Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, personal blogs, friends who have visited. I have gone as far as printing discount coupons  for my destination. This may sound tedious but it will help you save money, lower your chances of being scammed, create a holiday experience that fulfills your expectations. Also, keeping your mind on the holiday also prevents you from wasting money now.

Hope this helps on your next trip. I may sound like a stingy grandma, but hey, I get around. Until then, keep your eye on the prize....

My Kinda Kabul

The experience of any city is created by the ‘user.’ You can make any city our own. Even in a city as close as Karachi, Kabul is deemed ‘exotic’ and adventurous.  As a Pakistani, it is closer to home than most of us would imagine. However, Kabul is not for tourists, it is for travelers. But there is a romance in the air that is unmistakable. If you are in Kabul, explore something besides the ruins and war relics.

Food Trail

Kabul, like Karachi, has only one kind of nightlife – a foodie kind of nightlife. But it can be a little bit more risqué/fun that Karachi. While Karachi asks you to bring your own, Kabul serves its own.  Kabul has a decent variety of cuisines being served across the city. Thai, Chinese, Indian, Croatian, Middle Eastern and many more.

Kebabs are everywhere in Kabul!For traditional Afghan food head to Sufi . The restaurant is frequented by expats and visiting delegations as an introduction to Afghan food and will cost you about $10-12.  For a flavor of the aid-worker/foreign journalist watering hole try L’Atmosphere – a French restaurant serving crepes, pizzas, pastas, salads and soups. The bar area is rather popular  for obvoious reasons. The food is a bit pricey but the music is nice – starting with classics in the early evening and ending with Lady Gaga and Pitbull at night. A meal and drinks will set you back by $20.  To eat where the locals eat, try Barg Restaurant in the Khair Khana bazaar.  Barg serves Western fast food and local fare. The ground floor is for men and the upper floors are for families. Meal and drinks will cost you no more than $7.

Golden pakoras and fries at Mandavi

Kabul also has fantastic street food – pakoras, fries, deep fried ‘aloo paratha’ and spicy corn on the cob – from 5 to 10 Afghani.

It is not uncommon for most ‘meetings’ to take place at lunch. It seems most offices, organizations and even ministries have their own mini-catering units, manned mostly by women. These lunches will be the best food you find anywhere in Kabul.

Home made mantu at the FES Kabul office

Bazaars

There are plenty of bazaars all over Kabul. The cool weather makes it easy to spend hours in a bazaar but the dust doesn’t help. Mandavi, is a whole sale market selling almost everything you can imagine – vegetables, fruits, clothes, shoes, motorcycles, mattresses, biscuits – from Afghanistan as well as Pakistan, Iran and China. Of course, the one thing you must buy from here are the dry fruits – go for the local produce instead of those imported from Iran.

Dried fruits and seeds at Mandavi

The legendary Kandhari Anar

If you’re looking for more contemporary’ shopping then head to the Laisa Marium bazaar in the Khair Khana locality – you can find traditional Afghan outfits here, colorful, embroidered kurtas for men and women. It’s also a great place for people watching. The Shar Nau area is great for loitering around and get posters of Afghan heroes and local handicrafts. Most of the malls including Kabul Mall and City Center are also located in the area.

People

By far, the most interesting thing about Kabul is it’s people. The city is rich with stories. Nearly every Afghan I have spoken to in Kabul has lived in Pakistan and speaks Urdu fluently. The people on the streets are friendly and love telling their stories – even if they are a bit exaggerated. Striking a conversation is not difficult. Kabul is a microcosm of Afghan society – Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek and the foreigners from all over the world. Take the time to visit sporting events, cafes, barber shops, beauty salons and markets and talk to people to get the real flavor of Kabul.

Semi-final game of the first ever Afghan Premier League football tournament

Music  

Kabul has a thriving music scene – both local and foreign. There are some plenty of venues that host and groom young musicians. The French Cultural Center in Kabul, recently hosted the Sound Central Festival – an alternate music festival featuring bands from Central and South Asia and beyond.

The Venue is a space for young musicians to get together and jam. The Venue is run by Humayun Zadran, an avid music supporter working on several music related projects including ‘The Bridge’ – which currently brings Pakistani musicians to Afghanistan. If you are a rock music fan, look out for performances by Kabul Dreams. Kabul Dreams consists of young Afghan men, who are average musicians at best but rock and roll needs all the encouragement and support it can get. White City is another Kabul based rock band consisting of an Australian, a Brit and a Swede, who describe themselves as ‘rock therapy.’

The dust never settles in Kabul. There is a permanent slow moving haze. In October, the air is chilly and dry – dry enough to cut skin. Kabul is not an easy city – moving around the city is difficult and slow; the weather can be harsh; a woman’s laughter might offend someone on the street.   – but it is a city that will embrace you only when you begin to embrace it. I would love to return to Kabul and get to know it even better, because this was one of the hardest goodbyes I have had to say….

Reluctant good bye

Kuala Lumpur Top 5

Kuala Lumpur is the easiest of cities. Easy to get around in, to find food you crave, buy high end brands or cheap knock offs and to fall in love with. Just open your heart to KL and KL will embrace you.

With a population of just 1.6 million people, the capital of Malaysia is a modern city that encapsulates the very spirit of Malaysia. It is home to Malaysians from every state and expats and students from all over the world – creating a melting pot of cultures, religions, languages, food, arts and more.

I have known KL like the back of my hand for the last 8 years but each year, I find something new to experience in KL. The KL experience is never quite complete – and that is the trait of any great city, it keeps reinventing itself.

Here are my top five things to do in KL:

1. Food

You could go to KL for the food trail alone and you will not be disappointed. From world class restaurants to the greatest variety of street food (hawker fare) in all of Asia – KL is a foodie’s paradise. Malaysian cuisine itself is so richly varied, with influences from Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.  Every mall has it’s own food court and restaurant floor that will leave you floored.

Roasted Chicken Rice is a MUST try when in Malaysia – served with fragrant rice, soup and chilli sauce

Satay - succulent pieces of chicken and beef served with a spicy peanut sauce

Make your way to Jalan Alor (in the Bukit Bintang area) for first class Chinese road side dining. If you would like to eat in an air-conditioned location, then the best food courts in the KLCC area are at Suria KLCC Mall  – Signatures Food Court – and The Pavilion Mall – Food Republic. The mall food courts have an unbelievable variety of cuisines and all at a very affordable price. If you’re looking for something classier and pricier, then head to The KL Tower’s revolving restaurant – Atmosphere 360 – dining at 282 meters above ground level with a view of KL’s magnificent skyline is bound to put you in the mood. Also, check out the Cilantro Restaurant and Wine Bar it’s exquisite Japanese take on French cuisine.

 2. Nightlife/Music

There is no such thing as a week night in the hot spots of KL nightlife – Changkat Bukit Bintang, Jalan P Ramlee(and adjoining areas) and Bangsar. The first two are located in the city center and a lot more accessible for tourists. Whether you prefer live bands or DJs, there are plenty of music choices to choose from – Afro, Bollywood, Pop, Retro, House, Electro, Spanish, Middle Eastern and more!

My favorite spots on Changkat Bukit Bintang are Sutraa (for the retro music), Frangipanni (for the fabulous music)  and El Cerdito (for the gorgeous Spanish bartender). In the Jalan P Ramlee area, check out Rum Jungle. If you walk towards Jalan Sultan Ismail/Concorde Hotel you’ll find Hard Rock Café KL. They always have fantastic local bands playing covers. Right around the corner from there, and right across the Pakistani Embassy , is Zouk – home to KL’s best DJs and host to top-notch international DJs  including Paul Oakenfold, Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, David Guetta , Steve Aoki and more.

Party in the shadow of the Petronas Twin Towers at Zouk

3. Arts and Culture

Theaters, art galleries, performing arts – you will have a hard time deciding where you want to get your dose of  local and international art in KL. From street performers on Bukit Bintang to the Petronas Philaharmonic Orchestra, you can indulge in the arts at any budget at all.

Yup, that’s Australian Aboriginal music at the corner of Bukit Bintang

Make your way to Istana Budaya (Palace of the Arts) for world class theater, classical music, opera and more by local and international performers. Right next door is the National Visual Arts Gallery – so it’s easy to get your dose of art in one go. However, my favorite art venues in KL are a little informal – KLPAC and The Central Market Annexe.  Both venues are manned by hip, trendy young KLites. Also, The Central Market is a great place to buy batik and other types of Malaysian art.

 4. Shopping

You can choose between the real deal or the cheaper deal. Malls and flagship stores in the KLCC Golden Triangle area are home to the latest and most long standing brands and outlets in the world. The Pavilion, Lot 10, Suria KLCC, Berjaya Times Square and Sungai Wang should be on your must-visit list. If you have time to venture away from the city center then 1 Utama, MidValley Megamall and The Curve offer heavenly shopping and dining experiences.  Most of these malls offer tourist discounts at certain outlets. Head straight to the information counter first and get your discount card before you start shopping. If you consider yourself a formidable haggler, then head to Petaling Street (China Town) for knock offs and knick-knacks. There are also three dedicated shopping festivals in a year – The Year End Sale, The 1Malaysia Mega Sale and the 1Malaysia GP Sale (during the Formula 1 Race in March).

5. Architecture
Not that I understand architecture, but it’s easy to spot a beautiful building – one you want a view of when you open the curtains of your hotel room. You cannot go to KL and not visit The Petronas Twin Towers. Now not only can you visit the Skybridge connecting the two towers, but also the go all the way up to the 83^rd floor.

If you need more of a bird’s eye view, then make a stop at KL Tower as well.  Islamic architecture is evident in the mosques of course, but also as a basic motif in the Petronas Twin Towers and  KL Tower. There is also plenty of Mughal inspired architecture in the city – built during the British era – the Abdul Samad building and the KL Railway Station are the most obvious ones.  I love watching buildings and how they come alive with lights and people as the day progresses – they are plenty of cafes nearby where you can do that.

The easiest connections between Karachi/Lahore and KL are via Bangkok. Thai Airways often has special fares to KL – so make sure you keep up with their offers. The visa fee itself is a mere Rs 600 and is processed within 7 working days (often sooner than that) through a drop box facility.  Most travel agents are well versed with the Malaysian visa process too. The Malaysian Consulate in Karachi is very helpful and approachable. Follow them on Twitter – @myconsulkhi

The best time to visit Malaysia is all year round – tropical weather is the same all 12 months. Check out tourism.gov.my for events that you may want to attend. You don’t have to worry too much about what to wear in Malaysia – as long as it’s cool and comfortable, whether its a sun dress, shorts or a shalwar kameez. Walking shoes are a must though!

I have been returning to Malaysia, every single year since I moved back to Karachi – it is my annual holiday destination. I travel twice a year and KL is a fixed appointment on my travel chart. KL never disappoints. Whether you’re looking for a family holiday spot, a single woman looking for a spa and shopping trip or a party animal looking to dance the night away – KL is your kind of cityscape.

Originally published on pakteahouse.net