Tourism

A place in the United States that has always intrigued me was New Orleans. It’s a city with a rich history influenced by the Spanish, the French, the African-American, and the American South. All this creates a city like no other in this world! I was fortunate to visit there with my friends for a 4 day long weekend. I will let you know what we did and provide you a budget breakdown to get you an idea of how much a trip to New Orleans cost!

Flights

Flights to New Orleans from Toronto are more expensive compared to many other American cities I flew to because it is further away and there are not many flights between the two cities. I was able to save around $75 by not flying direct. I booked a flight for $491 CAD or $370 USD with Delta Airlines connecting in Detroit on the way to New Orleans, and connecting in Atlanta on the way back to Toronto. With supposedly only an hour layover in each city, it did not add too much time to our travels.

Unfortunately, our flight to Atlanta got delayed, which made us miss our connecting flight to Toronto. We had to stay over in a hotel near the airport, as the next flight available was the following morning. Fortunately, I was able to claim the hotel costs through my travel delay insurance as part of my American Express Platinum Card!

Food & Drinks

I was very excited about the food in New Orleans. Due to its unique culture and influences from many different ethnicities, food here is like no other! You have Creole food which are influenced from French, Spanish, West African, and Haitian such as gumbo, turtle soup, étouffée, jambalaya. There is Cajun food which is a style of cooking of the French-speaking Acadian people which have made their way from Acadia in Canada. Popular dishes include pralines, crawfish boil, and their versions of gumbo and étouffée. There is also Southern soul food such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. I was able to try out a lot of dishes and came back a couple of pounds heavier!

All in all I spent $308.96 CAD on food & drink, which included:

• Beignets from Cafe Beignet – 3 for $3.99 USD
• A bag of pralines – $10 USD
• Hurricane cocktail drink at Pat O’Brien’s – $9 USD
• Crawfish boils – $5 USD per pound
• Firecracker shrimp Po’ Boy from Parasol’s Bar & Restaurant – $10.50 USD
• Banana Foster Ice Cream Cake – $5 USD
• Fried seafood platters from many seafood restaurants – starting at $20 USD
• Fried chicken from established locations – starting at $14 USD. The fried chicken here is so good that I have made a post dedicated to the fried chicken in New Orleans! Check it out here.
• Muffuletta sandwiches from Central Grocery – $11.50 USD for a half sandwich
• Sazerac cocktail at Cure for $11 USD
• and more!

Make sure you check out my Top 5 Eats in New Orleans!

Beignets from Cafe du Monde. 8/10 You have to get Fried Chicken in the Big Easy! Cure

Transportation

The French Quarter is where most of the action is for most tourists and is very walkable. Walking is actually the quickest way to get around as the roads are very narrow and can get congested very easily.

We rented a car for a day which we got for $77 USD which included a full tank of gas. We got this as we wanted to combine a day of exploring outside the French Quarter with our swamp tour (more below).

The rental car was from Hertz which I booked using Rentalcars.com. I find Rentalcars show more rental companies and better prices compared to other sites like Expedia and Kayak.

There are historic streetcars you can take for $1.25 USD. It is not very extensive but it may get you to where ever you need to go. We took the St. Charles line to explore more of the uptown area!

St. Charles Streetcar

Uber and Lyft is also available in the city. We took them to and from the airport for around $38 USD. When arriving in the airport, try to see if you can split a car with other travellers as most likely, they will all be heading towards the French Quarter. We did that as soon as we arrived and we were able to bring down the costs of our ride!

If you do not have either, please use my referral links below so that you would get free rides and/or discounts. I would also earn some free rides and/or discounts! Win-Win!

Accommodation

We stayed at the City House Hostel in a 6 Bed Mixed Dorm for $30.75 USD per night. It is at a great location within the edge of the French Quarter, you’re close to the action but not in it! The staff were welcoming and also offered events every night so it was easy to meet new people. The rooms and beds were clean and there were facilities such as a kitchen and a common area with a TV.

Activities

Browsing Groupon, I stumbled upon a deal for a swamp tour in Jean Lafitte. A 90 minute swamp tour for four for $58 USD. The Tour guide was very informative and made lots of punny jokes, if you’re into that. You got to see alligators and even hold a baby one! Unfortunately I was expecting to head into more swampy terrains, but we just went through man made canals and open waters. Nonetheless, this was a great activity as we got do something different from the other activities within the city.

Other activities that we did

• checked out Louis Armstrong Park
• walked around Crescent Park
• watched a jazz performance at the Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub
• A fried chicken run
• Roamed around the Metairie Cemetery
• Got some smoothies and snacks at French Market Place
• Went on a Free French Quarter Walking Tour by Free Tours by Foot – tipped $10 USD
• A cabaret show at The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret – $15 cover (definitely worth it!, something you won’t see anywhere else)
• Went on a pub crawl – $19.50 USD (booked this before I knew the hostel had their own pub crawls)
• Went around City Park
• Take pictures around Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral
• Party at Bourbon Street
• Party at the alternative and less touristy Frenchmen Street

Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral Metairie Cemetery Bourbon Street

Other

For my other expenses, I spent

• $2 USD  for a poncho as I forgot to bring an umbrella and it was raining really hard one day
• $7 CAD for roaming data  charges for one day

The Sum of the Costs of a Trip to New Orleans?

All together, the four day in New Orleans cost each person $1,096 CAD or $826 USD. It was an expensive trip for 4 days but we did get to do a lot and eat a lot too! New Orleans is an amazing place to go to and was money well spent!

Argentina offers a wide array of options for different types of travellers. For urban explorers, there is the bustling metropolitan capital of Buenos Aires. For nature lovers, national parks such as Tierra del Fuego and Los Glaciares in Patagonia are a must for hiking, and desert canyons can be reached up in the north. Unfortunately on my trip to Argentina, I only got a chance to visit Buenos Aires, and the wine region of Mendoza. I also visited Iguazu Falls, but I already covered that in my Brazil Budget Breakdown. Without further ado, here are my cost breakdown and experiences whilst exploring Buenos Aires and Mendoza.

Currency Info: When I was there in March 2019, the exchange of the Argentine Peso to the Canadian Dollar was 31 ARS to $1 CAD. This exchange rate might change as Argentina has one of the world’s volatile currency due to the country’s high inflation rate.

I took a flight with Norwegian Air from Mendoza to Buenos Aires. The flight lasted only around 2 hours, which is nothing compared to a grueling 14 hour bus ride. With the cost of the flight being only $10 more expensive than the bus ride at $57.56 CAD, it was a no brainer for me as to which to choose.

When searching for domestic flights in Argentina, you might come across cheap prices. Before you get too excited, they may only be for Argentine citizens as some flights are subsidized by the government.

Overlooking Buenos Aires

If you like red meat and wine, then Argentina has to be your next destination! No other place can get you better steak and red wine for the price you are paying. The rest of the food scene is heavily influenced by Spanish and Italian cuisines–Spanish due to its colonial past and Italian as there are a lot Argentines with Italian descent. The following are some of the food and drinks I tried while exploring Buenos Aires and Mendoza:

• Delicious Argentine steaks starting at 195 ARS ($6.29 CAD). Don’t forget to add chimmichurri, a sauce for grilled meat consisting of parsley and garlic.
• A choripan, a quintessential Argentine dish consisting of sausage on bread at Chori 170 ARS ($5.48 CAD)
• Buenos Aires’ style pizza at El Mazacote. They have a pizza filled with a lot of cheese and onions called fugazzeta. 95 ARS ($3.06 CAD) for two slices.
• Milanesa, breaded pounded chicken deep fried topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and ham. Popular in Argentina due to its strong Italian influence. 320 ARS ($10.32 CAD)
• Quite possibly the best fried chicken in Buenos Aires at NOLA 240 ARS ($7.74 CAD)
• Argentine empanandas. They are usually filled with ground beef, spiced with cumin and paprika and topped with onion, boiled egg, olives, or raisins.
• Argentine asado. A BBQ of different meats such as beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, morcilla (blood pudding). A real feast that is also a social event. 600 ARS ($19.35 CAD)
• Due to its strong Italian influence, Buenos Aires serves some delicious artisanal gelato. A small ice cream from the highly rated Rapa Nui 95 ARS ($3.06 CAD)
• A bottle of Argentine Malbec wine 120 ARS ($3.87 CAD)
• Mate, a tea like drink that’s super popular in Argentina, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil. Dried leaves of yerba mate are steeped in hot water and sipped with a metal straw from a special mate cup. You will see people carrying this everywhere on the streets. In my opinion, it tastes like really strong green tea. FREE at my hotel (Sabatico Travelers Hostel)

Best steak from a mall food court! 8.5/10 Choripan from Chori. 8.5/10 Empanadas. 7.5/10 Milanesa. 8/10 Mate.

Being the 8th largest country in the world, my transportation costs would have been a lot higher had I visited more than just Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Here are my costs of transportation while I was in Argentina:

• Ferry from Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay to Buenos Aires with Colonia Express 1254 ARS ($40.45 CAD).
• Public transportation in Buenos Aires is super cheap with bus fare at around 20 ARS ($0.65 CAD) and the subways at around 16.5 ARS ($0.53 CAD) depending on the distance travelled.

I found that the cost of accommodation in Buenos Aires and Mendoza–like the food and drinks–to be of great value. While the two hostels I stayed at were pretty basic, they were really cheaply priced, comparable to those in Southeast Asia. It was even more surprising for me to get a private room through Airbnb in a trendy neighborhood for such a low price!

Sabatico Travelers Hostel in Monserrat for 4 nights at 479 ARS ($15.44 CAD) per night.

This hostel is located in a great location close to the historic San Telmo, Boca neighbourhood and Centro. The staff organizes nightly events such as asados (BBQ), empanada night, pub crawls, etc. They also lend you SUBE cards, which are needed to use Buenos Aires’ public transportation. The one thing I have to complain is that they run out of hot water quick, and thus I showered in cold water numerous times.

Making Empanadas

Airbnb (private room) in Palermo for 4 nights at $16.79 CAD per night.

As Buenos Aires is a big city, I wanted to stay in two different areas. My first stay in Monseratt was closer to Old BA. I wanted to also experience New BA by staying in Palermo. It’s a trendy area filled with great restaurants, bars and cafes. When looking for accommodation, I came across a private room on Airbnb for a bargain at $16.79 CAD a night! I couldn’t turn that down. It was a basic room and the WiFi didn’t reach my room, but the hosts were very welcoming and hospitable.

Palermo, Buenos Aires

Hostel Internacional Campo Base for 2 nights at 329 ARS ($10.61 CAD) per night.

This party hostel is situated in a great location within the city. It has an awesome atmosphere, making it very easy to meet other travellers. They set up daily and nightly activities making your travels convenient. The drawbacks are that the facilities are rundown, with not the cleanest bathrooms and dorms. The WiFi also doesn’t reach into all the dorm rooms.

Even though I didn’t get much of a chance to explore Argentina’s natural beauty, I was able to do a lot of other stuff in Argentina’s cities. Here is what I was up to:

• Buenos Aires’ football team, Boca Juniors’ stadium (La Bombonera) and museum entrance. 380 ARS ($12.26 CAD). Ideally, I would have loved to watch a match, but the tickets are only sold to season ticket holders which some sell second hand at really expensive rates (around $100)
• A pub crawl in Buenos Aires 300 ARS ($9.68 CAD)
• The City Center Tour covering places such as Congress Building and Evita’s mural with Buenos Aires Free Walks. FREE, but don’t forget to tip! Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it as much as there was so many people on this tour (probably over 50 people)
• The Recoleta Free City Tour covering places such as Islas Malvinas war memorial and the most affluent neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires with BA Free Tour. FREE, tip at your discretion. This tour was a lot less crowded, with only 10 people in my group.
• Recoleta Cemetery. The burial site of many Buenos Aires’ elite including the beloved Evita Peron. One of the most breath-taking cemeteries in the world, its tombstones and memorials are quite extravagant, reaching sizes of small houses. The best thing is that admission is FREE!
• Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) entrance. I got in with the student price of 85 ARS ($2.74 CAD). Regular price is 170 ARS ($5.48 CAD)
• and more! Check out our The Sum of Travel’s guide to visiting Buenos Aires on a Budget

Inside Boca Juniors Stadium (La Bombonera) Recoleta Cemetery @MALBA

• White water rafting in the Andes. 1130 ARS ($36.45 CAD). Having previously gone 4 times, this has been my cheapest time going white water rafting. Unfortunately the rapids weren’t too rough, as they only reached a level III.
• DIY wine tasting tours on bikes in Mendoza. All together we visited three wineries and one olive oil factory. Including bike rentals it came to 800 ARS ($25.81 CAD)

Sippin on Wine

Here are my other expenses while exploring Buenos Aires and Mendoza:

• Withdrawing Argentine Pesos at the ATM is one of the worst in the world. The ATM fees are 410 ARS ($13.23 CAD) across most banks and had a low withdrawal limits (around 5000 ARS ($161.29 CAD)). This is the first country I have encountered where it is better exchanging USD to ARS as the exchange rate offered are so much better than the ATM fees you will have to pay!
• Bought a new laptop charger as mine broke in Uruguay. 1290 ARS ($41.61 CAD)

The Sum of Exploring Buenos Aires and Mendoza

For the 10 days I was in Argentina’s two cities, I spent a total of $594.44 CAD which came out to $59.44 per day! My budget would’ve been a lot higher if I also included Patagonia on my trip. I felt that Patagonia deserves a trip on its own as I did not have any proper gear (hiking boots, warmer clothes).

Due to the inflation crisis that Argentina is facing, the Argentine Peso (ARS) has experienced a significant rate of devaluation. The Peso was trading around 3:1 with the US Dollar at 2008 and have risen to 40:1 by 2018. While this has been terrible for the millions of Argentines travelling abroad, it has made travelling in Argentina (for foreigners) a lot cheaper.

If you love strong flavours and spicy foods, then you either already like Korean food or you should give it a go! For myself, Korean food is one of my favourite cuisines. From Korean BBQ, to boiling hot stews, to pickled vegetables, to fried chicken, to shaved ice, there will be something that you will fall in love with. In this Korean food guide, I am going to share with you my Top 5 Eats in South Korea!

Jokbal is Korean for pig’s trotters (feet). While that might not sound appealing, cooking it with soy sauce and spices makes for an unbelievable dish.

We tried this at the recommendation of a local at Manjok Ohyang Jokbal. Little did I know it was featured in the Michelin Guide. The jokbal was well seasoned and had a unique gelatinous texture. It went well with the garlic vinegar sauce and shredded cabbage, which added a different taste and texture to the meat. It was also served with all the banchan (side dishes, more info below!), condiments and a hot pot which contains dumplings and rice cakes. We were with a big group and got the biggest set of jokbal and came to around 13,000 KRW ($14.43 CAD) per person which also included beers and soju.

Jokbal. 9.5/10

A lot of Asian countries have their own version of shaved ice, but my favourite has to be the Korean one. Bingsu or Bingsoo originally began as ice shavings with red bean paste but has since taken on other toppings and flavours. Additional toppings may include roasted soybean powder, mangoes, cheese, berries, etc. Popular flavors of shaved ice include green tea, coffee, and mango.

This dessert cooled us a lot of times in the hot and humid days of August. We ate in at numerous restaurants but the ones that we recommend are the ones at Sulbing which are found all over Korea and at Bukchon Bingsu. Each bingsu varies in price depending on the toppings and where you get it from but usually start around 9000 KRW ($10 CAD).

Bingsu at Bukchon Bingsu. 9/10

KFC has a different meaning here. While they have Kentucky Fried Chicken in Korea, the local fried chicken is what you need to eat.

What makes Korean fried chicken unique is that it is twice fried; the skin is therefore crunchier and less greasy. There are variations of fried chicken. There is the tongdak (original whole roast chicken) and the modern chicken pieces (boneless and boned) slathered in yangnyeom (sweet and spicy sauce). With the chicken also comes with a side of pickled radishes.

Two places I recommend are Mansuk Dak Gangjeong for fried chicken with yangnyeom sauce. The chicken had a great crisp and was quite sweet and spicy. It was also great value as a whole box was only 17,000 KRW ($18.87 CAD)!

The other place is Bampo Chicken. They are the OGs in the fried chicken game in Seoul opening in 1976. They’re most famous for their roasted garlic chicken. Their generous use of garlic makes their sauce pungent and tasty (if you like garlic). The chicken that they use are a little on the small side as only young chickens are used, which makes the meat quite tender. It is however more on the pricier side costing 18,000 KRW ($20 CAD) for a plate.

Mansuk Dak Gangjeong Fried Chicken. 8.5/10 Bampo Garlic Fried Chicken. 8.5/10

BBQ also has another meaning in this part of the world. Instead of the backyard, the grills are built into the dining table itself. Meats are cooked in right front of you, either by yourself or by the restaurant staff.

Some popular meats that in Korean BBQ are:

• galbi – marinated beef short ribs
• Samgyeopsal – thicker strips of unsalted and unmarinated pork belly.
• bulgogi – thin, marinated slices of beef or pork
• Chadolbegi – thinly sliced beef brisket

After grilled, you can dip them in seasoning made of salt and pepper mixed in sesame seed oil. Wrap them in lettuce along with grilled slices of garlic, grilled slices of onion, green onions, and kimchi and you have a makeshift Korean BBQ taco!

You can find these all over Korea and is popular meal when drinking alcohol (soju and beer). They can also be quite cheap as we found a Korean BBQ lunch special for 8000 KRW ($8.88 CAD)!

Korean BBQ. 8/10

Dakgalbi is a dish of stir-fried marinated diced chicken in a sweet spicy-based sauce with sweet potatoes, cabbage, perilla leaves, scallions, tteok (rice cake). The game changer here is the addition of melted cheese. It all taste so good together. You have the sweet savoury spicy sauce and topped with creamy cheese. There are different textures from the crunch of the cabbage and perilla leaves to the chewiness of the rice cake. Everything is so warm too coming straight from the grill.

Once the meal is almost finished, it’s normal at dakgalbi restaurants to add rice to the left over ingredients with cheese. This makes a really good fried rice.

I ate this as a part of an event with my hostel in Seoul. I paid 25,000 KRW ($27.75 CAD) which included the meal and lots and lots of soju! I am sure it will be a lot cheaper if you don’t go through the hostel and without the copious amounts of soju!

Cheese Dakgalbi. 8/10

My favourite thing about Korean meals, is that most times it comes with side dishes, called banchan. They are usually an assortment of kimchi (fermented vegetables seasoned with chili peppers and salt), namul (steamed, marinated, or stir-fried vegetables) like bean sprouts or spinach, Bokkeum (stir fried dishes) like fishcake or zucchini. The best thing, most often, you can get a refill on these when you eventually eat them all!

• Bulgogi – grilled thin, marinated slices of beef or pork
• Sundubu jjigae – a spicy stew made with soft tofu and seafood
• Kimchi jjigae – A stew made with mainly kimchi, pork, and tofu
• Bibimbap – rice topped with seasoned vegetables and seasoned with a red pepper paste. It is usually served in a heated stone bowl
• Naengmyeon – cold buckwheat noodles
• Bossam – thinly sliced boiled pork belly pork served with side dishes
• Gimbap – similar to that of the Japanese sushi roll but usually bigger in size.
• Dopotki or Tteokbokki – sliced rice cake and fish cakes flavoured with a sweet and spicy sauce
• Hotteok – fried pancake containing brown sugar, honey, chopped peanuts, and cinnamon
• Bungeoppang – fish-shaped pastry that is usually filled with sweet red bean paste. Similar to Japan’s taiyaki
• Eomuk-tang or odeng-tang – Korean fish cake which you can find all over even in metro stations. They are usually served with a spicy soup.
• Dwaeji-gukbap – Pork and Rice Soup
• Kong-guksu – noodle dish served in a cold soy milk broth
• Ojingeo-sundae – stuffed squid
• Mandu – Korean version of dumplings
• Sikhye – a traditional sweet rice drink
• and probably more!

Shortly after we first started dating, Adi had already told me about his plans to travel the world. It was only after he officially booked his one-way flight did it really occur to me that our relationship was about to be put to the test. I had no doubt in my mind that I would eventually visit him in Asia–the only question was where and when. After five gruelling months of long-distance, we finally met up in Vietnam! We decided that we would cover the central and northern parts, as I only had two weeks of vacation to spare. This trip was extra special not only because I got to spend time with Adi but because I got to explore the country where my parents grew up.

If you haven’t already read Adi’s solo adventure in South Vietnam, check it out here!

Currency Info: In January 2019, the exchange of the Vietnamese Dong to the Canadian Dollar was around 17,472 VND to $1 CAD.

My round-trip flight with China Eastern from Toronto to Hanoi cost $1309.17 CAD. This was booked this a mere month prior to my trip, and departed around New Years. The entire journey took approximately 34 hours, including layovers in Shanghai (2 hours) and Kunming (13 hours!!!). Once I got to Hanoi, I took one last flight to Da Nang with Vietjet for $79.01 CAD, where I would finally meet up with Adi.

En route to Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine is a beautiful thing. Maybe I’m biased, because I grew up eating dishes heavily influenced by its culture. The two of us scoured blogs, vlogs, and diligently made notes from the likes of Mark Wiens and The Food Ranger for the best places to hit up. For the most part, food was ridiculously cheap. Travelling together allowed us to try more things and save money by splitting the bill. The following are examples of what we ate and how much they cost:

• Bún chả at Bún chả Hương Liên (Where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain shared a meal) 40,000 VND ($2.29 CAD)
• Bánh mì̀ ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 VND ($1.14 to $1.72 CAD)
• AYCE Korean BBQ, because sometimes you just gotta take a break from Vietnamese food 186,000 VND ($10.65 CAD)
• Bún bò Huế 30,000 VND ($1.72 CAD)
• Bánh canh 40,000 VND ($2.29 CAD)
• Afternoon Tea at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake 288,750 VND ($16.53 CAD)
• Beer at the Beer Street in Hanoi 5,000 VND ($0.29 CAD)
• Avocado coconut ice cream (Kem bo) 10,000 VND ($0.59 CAD)
• Iced Egg Coffee 45,000 VND ($2.58 CAD)
• Salt Coffee in Hue 15,000 VND ($0.86 CAD)

Be sure to check out what made it to Adi’s Top 5 Eats in Vietnam!

Banh mi from one of two top spots in Hoi An–obviously we had to try them both. Bun cha with our walking tour guide and group Vietnamese street food at a night market Seafood in Lang Co, a pit stop through the Hai Van Pass Salt coffee in Hue

There are endless means of getting around in Vietnam. We went the frugal route and opted for public transportation over taxis or private cars. Once we settled in a particular city/town, we used Grab (the Uber of SE Asia) for places that weren’t within walking distance–make sure to download the app before your trip!

• Da Nang to Hoi An: Local Bus 30,000 VND ($1.72 CAD) Fare is collected after you board.
• Hoi An to Da Nang: Local Bus 30,000 VND ($1.72 CAD)
• Da Nang to Hue: Rental Scooter with MotorVina 300,000 VND ($17.17 CAD) per person (includes luggage transfer)
• Hue to Phong Nha: Sleeper bus 110,000 VND ($6.30 CAD) 
• Phong Nha to Ninh Binh: Overnight train 451,000 VND ($25.81 CAD) –be sure to double check your date and time!
• Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay: Bus 220,000 VND ($12.59 CAD)
• Ha Long Bay to Hanoi: Bus 150,000 ($8.59 CAD)

For booking transportation within Vietnam, I suggest using 12go.asia as I found their website have the best prices for booking trains, buses, transfers. They are convenient and Adi has personally received great customer service from them. He was able to get a last minute partial refund from the overnight train ticket in even though he booked the wrong date.

My cheeky Grab driver

We opted for Airbnb (sponsor us pls) and homestays during our time together in Vietnam. Not only was it affordable and allowed for privacy, it also gave us the opportunity to immerse ourselves with the locals. Bonus points for when breakfast was included. For those who have not tried Airbnb yet, sign up with our referral link and you will get $45 CAD off your home booking! You will also be supporting this website, win-win!

• Da Nang Airbnb for 2 nights at $45.10 CAD per night
• Quy Long Homestay in Hoi An for 2 nights at 300,000 VND ($17.17 CAD) per night
• Hue Airbnb for 1 night for $23.91 CAD
• Jungle Boss Homestay in Phong Nha for 1 night at 800,000 VND ($45.80 CAD)
  • We chose this location for convenience over cost, as it was the departure point for our jungle trek the next day.
• Ham Rong Homestay in Ninh Binh for 2 nights at 299,162 VND ($17.12 CAD) per night
• Ha Long Bay Cruise with Aphrodite Cruises for 1 night at $350.86 CAD
  • This was a splurge for us as we wanted to indulge in a luxurious cruise. The price is all inclusive and covered all our meals and activities on board. Staff were friendly and the itinerary kept us busy. Unfortunately, it failed to meet other expectations–the room was a bit cramped, set meals were average at best, and drinks were not included. In hindsight, Adi and I both agreed that we would’ve still enjoyed our time (and not break the bank!) had we booked a low to mid range cruise instead. After all, the views of Ha Long Bay would be the same either way.
• Hanoi Airbnb for 3 nights at $43.03 CAD per night

Keep in mind that these prices are for both of us.

Living room at our Hue Airbnb Free breakfast at the Jungle Boss Homestay
Camping in the jungle Dining room of our luxury cruise ship

Contrary to what some people might think, Vietnam isn’t just all rice paddies. From the breathtaking landscapes to the hustle and bustle of cities, there was never a dull moment. Below were some of our major activities and their respective costs (if any):

• Hiked up Marble Mountain 40,000 VND ($2.29 CAD)
• Explored the Am Phu Caves 20,000 VND ($1.14 CAD)
• Walked around the historic old town of Hoi An FREE
• Explored the ancient ruins of Mỹ Sơn 150,000 VND ($8.59 CAD)
• Walked around the Imperial City of Huế, the former capital of Vietnam 150,000 VND ($8.59 CAD)
• Rented a motorbike and drove from Da Nang to Hue via the Hai Van Pass 300,000 VND ($17.17 CAD)
• Explored caves, trekked and camped a night in the jungle with Jungle Boss in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park 4,500,000 VND ($257.55 CAD)
• Enjoyed the scenery of Trang An in a boat 200,000 VND ($11.45 CAD)
• Hiked up the Hang Mua viewpoint in Ninh Binh 100,000 VND ($5.72 CAD). Beware of parking scams; scooter parking is free at the entrance.
• Took a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter FREE
• Watched the train pass by in the very narrow Train Street in Hanoi FREE
• Learned about the women’s role in Vietnamese society in Hanoi’s Women Museum 30,000 VND ($1.72 CAD)

Old town Hoi An Bomb crater in My Son Sanctuary Stopping to take in the spectacular views of the Hai Van Pass Exploring the vast grounds of the Imperial City, Hue We trekked 17 km in the jungle, trudging through muddy paths and crossing several rivers Panoramic views from atop Titop Island Train Street, Hanoi

There is no shortage of free WiFi in Vietnam. However if you have the constant need to share to Instagram Stories or check-in on Swarm, then you can also grab a SIM card and data package from one of four major network providers. Adi went with Viettel and got unlimited data for one month, but speeds got throttled after 5.5 GB for 180,000 VND ($10.30 CAD).

Unless you hold a passport from of the ASEAN-member countries, chances are you’ll need a Vietnam Visa to enter the country. We found that the easiest way to obtain this is through the online Vietnam E-visa. It’s valid for a maximum of 30 days and is for single entry only. The fee is $25 USD and it takes about three business days to process. Just print the document out and present it at customs! Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Other miscellaneous costs included:

• Laundry 105,000 VND ($6.30 CAD) for our wet/muddy clothes post-jungle trek at the Ninh Binh homestay
• ATM fees 55,000 VND ($3.15 CAD) with BIDV Bank. Make sure you don’t get any additional fees by using a debit card that doesn’t charge you for any foreign transaction fees. If you are from Canada, I recommend using STACK!
• Shelly’s lashlift and tint 230,000 VND ($13.61 CAD) by the lovely Mia

As always, I have vlogged our entire trip! Please check out the video below for a short montage of our adventures.

The Sum of Travelling as a Couple in Vietnam

Obviously the most expensive portion of this trip had been the roundtrip flight from Toronto. As this was a two week vacation for me, we also decided to splurge on the Ha Long Bay cruise and the jungle trek at Phong Nha. Aside from that we pretty much kept a backpacking budget, eating at cheap restaurants and staying at affordable homestays and Airbnbs. The cost of travelling as a couple in Vietnam came to $2486.63 CAD, which worked out to $165.78 CAD per day. But the memories? Priceless.

During my trip to Riviera Maya & Yucatan, I got to experience a wide variety of Mexican and Yucatan cuisine. The food was one of the many things I enjoyed during my time in Mexico. In this list, I will share you my Top 5 Eats in Riviera Maya & Yucatan!

Let me tell you about this meal. This is one of those meals where you are so satisfied after, that you take 2 hour nap because of it (if that makes any sense). We decided to go to La Coqueta as it was a block away from our AirBnB in Tulum. The staff were very welcoming. The ceviche was super fresh and tender, perfectly cured in lime and just the right amount of spices. You can taste the fresh ingredients that they used on all the food. The portion were also huge, which led to us passing out right after. All this was a very reasonable 420 MXN ($28 CAD)!

Enchiladas, Huevos Ranchero, and Mixed Seafood Ceviche 9.5/10

For #2, I have combined two things that are from different restaurants, but go together so well! Gorditas from Gorditas Doña Gorda and a champola from Dulceria y Sorbeteria Colon can be found only a block apart in Centro Merida. Gorditas are pastries made with corn flour and stuffed with cheese, meat, or other fillings. We went here two times as they have a variety of flavours, ranging from pulled pork, chicharrón, chicken in salsa, beef stew, etc. The best thing is that these gorditas are only around 12 MXN ($0.80 CAD) depending on the flavours that you get. Less than a minute walk, you can get a champola from Dulceria y Sorbeteria Colon. Champola is a dessert where ice cream is mixed in a glass of milk (basically a milkshake, that is not shaken). I got the coconut flavour and its such a refreshing dessert for a hot day in Merida. The champola will set you back 45 MXN ($3 CAD), but it is definetely worth it! You can take both food and people watch in the centre plaza of Merida.

Coconut champola. 9/10 Gorditas. 8.5/10

TACOS, TACOS, TACOS! We tried as many 7 different taco places, and I feel like this place takes the cake! Antojitos La Chiapaneca in Tulum has a variety of options from tacos al pastor, empanadas, panuchos, salbutes, tostadas. The food is so cheap at about 8 to 15 MXN ($0.53 to $1 CAD). Though the prices are small, the food here has big flavor and taste. They also have amazing salsas and a variety of garnish to go with your food. You’ll likely have to wait a bit for a table as the place gets pretty crowded, but it will be so worth it!

Tacos al pastor with panuchos and empanadas. 9/10

Our first meal of our trip was to El Fogon, a chain of taco restaurants in Playa del Carmen where lots of locals go to eat cheap tacos (around $1 each). We got tacos al pastor and quesadillas. The tacos al pastor are juicy and flavorful, which also includes a slice of pineapple inside. It also came with sides of radish, cooked cactus and the standard salsas and pico de gallo. It was so good that we decided to get another plate of tacos. This was also not the last time we were in this restaurant. There is a reason that this place is rated 4.5 stars with over 500 reviews on Yelp! This whole meal along with an alcoholic drink and a bottle of water came to be 159 MXN ($10.60 CAD).

Tacos al Pastor at El Fogon. 8.5/10

I put healthy in quotation marks as I tried to order a healthy option. While my girlfriend got the veggie burger, I got the chilaquiles with mole sauce, which I thought was a salad with mole sauce. As you can see below, it is definitely not a salad. Instead it is a BBQ like sauce on top of corn tortilla chips with pork bits and garnished with raw onions.  It tasted pretty good, especially if you like BBQ sauce. The veggie burger was the best tasting veggie burger I have ever tasted as the patty that they used was seasoned really well. We also got a delicious chocolate banana protein smoothie. If you are in Valladolid and looking for somewhere that serves healthy and vegetarian options, definitely go to this restaurant! All this was 220 MXN ($14.67 CAD)

Chilaquiles, veggie burger, chocolate smoothie. 8/10

Moving to Sydney, Australia in August 2019, I was quite eager to check out what financial products/services they had to offer. My first taste is the cashback websites offered in Australia. As covered earlier in my post on how to earn cashback in Canada, I decided to write one on how to earn cashback in Australia!

How these cashback websites/apps work is that they act as an affiliate partner. These websites refer customers to the retailer’s store, and when a purchase is made, the affiliate earns a percentage of the sale at no cost to the customer.

Whenever you decide to buy something online, consider using one of these cashback websites listed below. It is free and easy to join. Either look for the store based on categories or by the search box to see if they have a partnership with that store. If so, the website will show you how much cashback you’ll earn from your purchase.

In order to get cashback on your purchases, you have to make sure that you’re using the website’s link to the site. Once you check out, your purchase will automatically be recorded on your account. Depending on the website, you will need to wait a certain period until the cashback “clears” (making sure that you don’t return the product) and becomes available for payment. The common pay out method is usually either by bank transfer or Paypal.

Originally from Singapore and launched in Australia in 2018, Shopback has more than 10 million users and app downloads in the Asia Pacific. They cover Australia’s biggest retailers including The Iconic, Myer, David Jones, and Target.

Shopback can cut down on accommodation costs, with many cashbacks on booking sites such as Booking.com and Expedia. Read more about it here!

Their cashback tracking is quite accurate and timely. Check out my history.

Shopback also has a Google Chrome extension, notifying members if they are eligible for cashback when they’re on their partner retailer’s websites.

Earn your first $5 AUD in cashback with Shopback with my referral link below!

Australia’s #1 cashback site, Cashrewards has given its members over $84,000,000 in cash back. They also partner with Australia’s major retailers such as eBay, Dan Murphy’s, Expedia and Woolworth.

Some of the travel retailers on Cashrewards include:

• Hotels.com
• Expedia
• Virgin Australia
• Emirates
• Etihad

Cashrewards also has a Shop in-store option where you link your Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card to your account which gets you cash back in-store at participating retailers such as Ikea and Liquorland.

A Cashrewards membership account unlocks additional offers and discounts.

Plus, every time you receive cashback, we donate 1% to the Starlight Children’s Foundation to help Aussie kids in need

Like Shopback, Cashrewards has a notifier browser extension where they can tell you when a cashback or discount offer is available.

Earn your first $5 AUD in cashback with Cashrewards with my referral link below!

I think both platforms are pretty equal in terms of their. I would get both and compare the cash back that you get between the two. Depending on the promotion, one website can have a significant higher cash back than the other.

The thing to watch out about these cashback programs is that it can be tempting to see your cashback or points accumulate. The point of these programs is to get consumers to spend more. That is why it’s important to make sure to buy things you’ve already decided on and not splurge on the basis of seeing those cashback balance increase. Other than that, I really do not see any downside of this! If you shop online, there is no reason not to get on these cashback programs!

Often overlooked between its bigger neighbours of Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay offers great beaches in Punta del Este and Punta del Diablo to charming colonial towns of Colonia del Sacramento. The country might not have big name sights and attractions but is more known for its good vibes and high quality of life (for South America). They have liberal policies as they are the first South American country to legalize gay marriage and the first country in the world to legalize weed (not for tourists, sorry!). In this post I show my budget breakdown of my 5 Days travelling in Uruguay.

When I was there in March 2019, the exchange of the Brazilian Peso (UYU) to the Canadian Dollar (CAD) was 24.7 UYU to $1 CAD.

Another British Airways Avios redeption! My LATAM flight came from Sao Paulo to Montevideo for 7,500 Avios points and $39.89 CAD in taxes and fees.

I found eating out in Uruguay to be pretty pricey. This lead me like many other backpackers to cook for themselves in an effort to save money. I cooked pasta for the first time in years and I forgot how much food pasta can give you. I was able to make 4 meals out of half a bag of pasta. The rest of the uncooked pasta, I gave to my host. For my other meals, I ate out and here is what I got during my 5 days travelling in Uruguay.

• Uruguay’s national dish, Chivito. It consists of a thin slice of tender cooked beef steak, topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and may also include bacon, fried eggs and ham, served as a sandwich in a bun. 220 UYU ($8.89 CAD)
• Chivito al plato for two. Instead of a sandwich, it can also be served as a platter served with french fries and a salad. 420 UYU ($16.98 CAD)
• McDonald’s Chimichurri Burger. It’s a normal burger topped with chimichurri, a sauce that has chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano and red wine vinegar. It goes great with any grilled meat. 69 UYU ($2.79 CAD)
• Dulce de leche McFlurry. For those that do not know dulce de leche, its a sauce made by heating sweetened milk. It’s texture and taste is similar to caramel, but in my opinion is WAY BETTER! 99 UYU ($4 CAD)
• Alfajor. Two round cookies with different sweet fillings between them, which is usually dulce de leche. They are covered with powder sugar (the traditional ones), glazed sugar or chocolate. 12 UYU ($0.49 CAD)

Chivito. 7.5/10 Chivito Al Plato. 8/10 McDonald’s Chimichurri Burger. 7.5/10 Dulce De Leche McFlurry. 8/10 Alfajor. 6.5/10

Being one of the smallest countries in South America, getting around is easy and quick. Buses are the main way of getting from cities to cities and they are frequent, safe, comfortable. My one bus journey was a 3 hour bus from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento for 407 UYU ($16.45 CAD).

Having only stayed in two places, I can’t really comment much on the accommodation in the country. Like the rest of the prices in Uruguay, accommodation is also expensive for South America. Here are the places I stayed, and my two cents.

Montevideo: Airbnb for 4 nights at $24.23 CAD per night

I decided to book an Airbnb in Montevideo as it was only a bit more compared to the hostels in the city. I would get a private room along with access to a kitchen and laundry facilities. It was located a 15 minute walk from the main plaza and had grocery stores and restaurants in the surrounding area. The host, Enrique, was awesome! He lent me his laptop charger when mine broke suddenly. He even picked me up at the airport. What a check in process!

Colonia del Sacramento: El Viajero Colonia Hostel & Suites for 1 night at 460 UYU ($18.59 CAD)

This hostel is just a couple of minutes walk away from the old town, the bus station and the ferry terminal. They have great buffet breakfast with fresh juices, bread and jams. The beds are comfy and they have a nice courtyard with lots of chill out spaces.

My Airbnb in Montevideo

I spent most of time in Uruguay walking around the streets of Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento. There was not really any must do activities in either cities. It shows in my budget as this is the least I have spent on activities within a country. I decided to skip out on popular beach towns such as Punta del Este and Punta del Diablo as I had enough beaches during my time in Brazil. You can find more things to do in these places. Here is the short list of what I did in Uruguay.

• Explore the city of Montevideo and learn about its history and quick with Free Walking Tour Montevideo. Tip at your discretion!
• Explore the old colonial buildings and cobbled streets of Colonia
  del Sacramento which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. FREE
• Check out the views of Colonia del Sacramento from its historic lighthouse 30 UYU ($1.21 CAD)

Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo Colonia del Sacramento View form the Lighthouse in Colonia del Sacramento

Because I was only spending 5 Days travelling in Uruguay, I did not spend anything in this category.

• No Visa needed for visitors coming in from Canada and most other Western countries. Visitors can also stay within the country for up to 90 days.
• I did not get a sim card for a data plan as I was only in the country for 5 days.
• No ATM fees, as I had leftover Brazilian Reals, and decided to exchange it to Uruguayan Pesos. I also found that credit cards were widely accepted in the country in exception to some smaller food stalls and city buses.

In the span of 5 days in Uruguay, I spent $249.17 CAD which came to $49.89 per day. Don’t be fooled by these numbers as I was able to save a lot by cooking a lot of my meals, and not have any expensive activities. With more “travel” expenses such as eating out and activities, your travel budget can increase quite a lot as Uruguay is one of the most expensive countries in South America.

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So you just made it to Chicago, and are thinking of what to do?

These are my top 5 things to do based on my experiences and research during your visit in Chicago.

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For the May long weekend (Victoria Day), my friends and I took a road trip to Pittsburgh.

In July 2018, I had the experience of attending the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. I have never really had the experience of eating Russian food, so everything that I ate was new and different for my taste buds. With some research and with my Russian friend’s knowledge, I was able to experience a wide array of Russian food, and in this list, I will share you my top 5 eats in Russia!

1. Pelmeni

From Italy’s ravioli to China’s har gow, each culture has some sort of dish that consists of dough filled with meat, cheese or vegetables. Russia is no different with their pelmeni. They are dumplings of Russian cuisine which consist a filling of meat (usually lamb or beef) wrapped in thin dough. Compared to other dumplings, pelmeni have a very thin dough shell and is pretty small in size. For this reason, you are able to really taste the meat inside. I got pelmeni with veal and lamb, and the meat that they used is what made this dish so good. You can get pelmenis for around 250 RUB ($5.15 CAD).

Pelmeni with veal and lamb. 8/10

2. Rye with Honey Ice Cream

When I first took a bite of this ice cream, I was perplexed with this unique taste. It began with a hint taste of rye bread and finished with a honey aftertaste. Russians loves their rye bread so it would make sense that they would put that flavour into ice cream. The price of this dessert came to 120 RUB ($2.48 CAD).

Rye Ice Cream. 8/10

3. Beef Stroganoff

Ahead of my trip, I was surprised to find out that beef stroganoff was a Russian dish.  It consists of sautéed pieces of beef served in a a sour cream based sauce. I was able to try the beef stroganoff at one of the top Russian restaurants in St. Petersburg, the Severyanin. I highly recommend the restaurant as it is a cozy place with a decor that steps you back in time to the 19th century. The wait staff were really polite and professional. There were also live music as an accordion player entertained the room. The prices are also reasonable as the beef stroganoff came to 740 RUB ($15 CAD).

Beef Stroganoff with porcini and truffle oil. 7.5/10

4. Medovik

Medovik is a classic Russian honey cake. It is a very popular dessert and can be found in many restaurants throughout Russia. It was a simple cake yet and had a melt in your mouth texture. I had the cake at Taste to Eat in St. Petersburg, which cost me 320 RUB ($6.63 CAD).

Medovik with cranberries. 7/10

5. Russian Tea

Another fact I did not know coming to Russia, is how much they love their teas. Due to its cold weather, tea is one of the most popular beverages in the country. It is common to have tea at the end of meals with their desserts. The traditional way having tea (pictured below) is to pour a tea concentrate called zavarka from a small tea pot (the white tea pot). Then you mix in hot water from the samovar (the big pot with the tap). Different flavour jams (strawberry, black currant, cherry) can be added to your liking. I was able to experience this at Dachniki in St. Petersburg which came with cookies and gingerbread for  650 RUB ($13.47 CAD).

I also got to experience a variety of herbal teas, such as this herbal tea with thyme, linden, chamomile, black currant leaves. You can find many herbal teas served in most restaurants at around 220 RUB ($4.56 CAD).

Other Notable Russian foods I tried

• Salmon Caviar
• Borscht
• Dressed herring salad
• Chicken Kiev
• Olivier or Russian salad
• Blini
• Solyanka
• Okroshka
• Pickled herring
• Pyshki
• Kvass
• Mors

If you have been to Russia, I would like to know your top 5 eats in Russia!