ychxk, Author at Triplust.world

Uber Eats in Hong Kong … Nice try but no

by ychxk | Nov 19, 2016 | Food, Hong Kong

Anyone who’s been in Hong Kong for a while either for business or pleasure is familiar with the sight of an orange Food Panda bike zipping around the busy streets, Uber Eats is an attempt by the popular ride sharing service to get a piece of the food delivery pie. Unfortunately it falls down in Hong Kong and here’s why.

We ordered a pizza from Jacomax, literally one minute walk away from our building mainly because Uber had a $150 first time discount coupon and also to try something new. On previous experience Jacomax are pretty speedy with cooking the pizza and Food Panda has delivered before in around twenty minutes. So all went well at first with the order process, the system itself looks like other food ordering apps, but then we waited….and waited. Waiting in itself is fine with order status updates but firstly the app was stuck on processing for around forty minutes and then to make matters worse there was no way of querying the status, none. Clicking on help for the order gave a blank screen with no possibility to get in touch to check what was happening. For a company of this huge size experienced in software development this is simply unforgivable.

Eventually after 55 minutes for an order that would normally take thirty minutes max on other services the status changed and the order was at the door a couple of minutes later. So what went wrong here? The problem is that Uber is using their drivers to deliver food. Anyone who has waited in Hong Kong for an uber that appears five minutes away and then takes fifteen to arrive can see where this is going. The driver based system is the problem. With a dedicated fleet of delivery riders on speedy mopeds other delivery services control this part of the process and can ensure it is efficient. Uber cannot. Simple.

So next time you are dying for a take out consider your options. It’s fine Uber decided to use this model of freelance drivers but what isn’t acceptable is for a company of this size to have such a poor app and ordering experience with no help available.

Travel Tips – Visas

by ychxk | Oct 31, 2016 | Visas

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Visiting far flung destinations is exhilarating, mostly because it’s away from the hum drum of daily life. However, if you don’t dot all of your i’s and cross all of your t’s, it can turn into a bit of a bother. One of the biggest headaches is working out which visa you need and where to get it from. Whilst I can’t offer an exhaustive guide (I’d be here all night and you’d be very bored of reading), I can point you in the right direction.

What’s a visa?
It’s an official document or stamp placed in a passport from an official allowing you entry into a country. The type of visa, its validity, and how it is obtained are all dependent on where you’re travelling to and for what reason. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on tourist visas.

Do I need one?
Again, this all depends on where you’re from and where you’re going, as well as the duration of your stay. For example, an American citizen travelling to Japan for a one month vacation doesn’t need to apply for a visa prior to travel; it’s issued on arrival to Japan. Certain citizens of certain countries are subject to visa waiver programs in some countries (the previous example involving Japan for instance), and does not require you to pre-apply for a visa, which is very handy! However, double check where this applies, as it is your responsibility as the traveller to check what you need prior to your trip. Failure to have the correct paperwork can result in you not being able to board your flight, or being refused entry to the country and sent back home on the next flight, and as it’s an error on your part, insurance likely wouldn’t pay out.

How do I get one?
A simple google search can point you in the right direction. Consulates and Embassy’s always have their own website, with a complete section on visa advice specific to your country of origin and destination, and usually an area to apply. Sadly, they like to speak the convoluted language of “bureaucratic”, so it may seem confusing or bewildering. Don’t lose hope! There are also lots of companies online who can do the visa application for you, so all you have to do is wait for it to process. However, I’m not a particular fan of this, mostly because I like to know myself it’s done, but if you’re pressed for time it can take a burden from your shoulders. Here’s some links to get you started:

USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/americans-traveling-abroad.html

Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents/visas

U.K: https://www.visahq.co.uk/visas.php

Australia: http://dfat.gov.au/travel/visas/pages/visas-for-australians-travelling-overseas.aspx

Countries that almost always require some form of visa includes (but is not limited to):
• India
• China
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• United States of America
• Australia

Another way to apply if you’re booking your trip way in advance and have planned well, is to do it in person. Simply call and make an appointment with your local embassy.
Once it’s done, sit back, relax, and count down the days until your next adventure!

Finding Cheap Airfares in Asia Can be Hard! Let Skyscanner Help!

by ychxk | Oct 26, 2016 | Airlines

Who doesn’t love a getaway? Wherever in the world you live, it’s never really too far for a new adventure. However, one of the biggest obstacles to the great escape is quite often air fares. Expensive aren’t they? Let Skyscanner help you out. Here’s how.

Skyscanner is a price comparison site that allows you to compare air fares on a multitude of airlines, and for almost any destination you can think of! It’s easy to use, and it can work out far cheaper than the airline’s own site, or one of the travel sites such as Expedia.

Most of the time, it’s best to book in advance for the sweet deals, however you can still get cheap flights last minute, especially if you’re prepared to fly with a lesser known company, or do an extra layover or two. One thing I really like about Skyscanner (aside from cheap flights!) is the ratings system. Each flight will have a rating, so you can see if it’s a good journey or not. There’s also a smartphone app, so you can book flights anywhere! I do prefer the website, but I have used the app on a few occasions and have managed to complete a booking with no issue. Finally, the fact you can watch and set up alerts for flights is what really makes Skyscanner stand out. You may have your beady eye on a journey but perhaps your bank account is standing in the way; with the watch facility you can keep track of your favourite deals and get alerts sent to your email if prices change. Brilliant. Need a car, or a hotel, or both? You can search for these too.

Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to talk about Skyscanner without mentioning some of its downsides. The first is that it is just a price comparison site, so you can’t book direct. You get redirected to the site of choice, and sometimes there can be disparages in costs shown (hidden taxes or the price changes just as you click, I’ve had this happen before), which can be a let down. Another issue is that the cheapest flights tend to be the longest. You’ll find some journeys can take a day or three! This is because the journey is broken up into several flights, often with long layovers. If you don’t mind this, you still get a good deal. However, it probably wouldn’t be fun for families containing small children, or elderly and disabled travellers, as it can mean a lot of stress, especially if one connection is late and you’re rushing to catch the next one. Another is using an airline you haven’t used before, or haven’t heard of. This is particularly daunting, as of course you want to know you’re in safe hands when you travel. A little trick would be to check out the airline comparison site Skytrax (http://www.airlinequality.com/). It has reviews and ratings on lots of different airlines, all by people who have used them. So for example, if you see a great price on a flight with JAL but have never used them, simply check them out on Skytrax to see what type of experience you’ll get. Lastly, if you’re a frequent flier but plan to use a variety of companies to travel, you won’t build up any loyalty. Most airlines have a rewards scheme of some kind, and travelling regularly with one company can pay off in the form of free flights or upgrades, a perk you won’t earn using a multitude of airlines. However, you can search deals on Skyscanner by company, simply by clicking on the airline you wish to look for after you hit search (it’s on the left side of the screen on the website).

Overall, I feel as though Skyscanner’s good outweighs its bad. I use it over anything else when hunting out my next getaway. Why not give it a try and see for yourself? Find it here: www.skyscanner.net.

One final thing, especially important for long haul flights, or journeys outside your continent of residence; visas. Some countries require a visa prior to entry (such as China and India), and this is your sole responsibility, not the airlines. They don’t even need to provide you with visa information, though some websites will warn you to check visa requirements. If you aren’t sure, check with your local consulate, either by phone or on their website.

Cathay Pacific Plane at Gate in Hong Kong

JAL Plane with Shark Design

JAL Airplane Wing

Using Air BnB in Asia

by ychxk | Oct 25, 2016 | Accommodation

Air BnB Asia Review Screenshot Live like a local with Air BnB.

Travelling is a rewarding, but expensive, experience. Utilising Air BnB could be just what you need to not only save cash, but give you a chance to see something you wouldn’t if you stayed in a hotel.

What is it?
A website and smartphone app that allows you to rent space from local folks all over the world. You can find listings in the heart of cities, and at the end of dusty roads. The variety is astonishing; you can stay in the spare room of a kind old couple in Seoul, or rent an entire beach front home in St. Lucia, the world really is your oyster.

How does it work?
Simple really. Head to the website (www.airbnb.com), or download the app, and browse the way you would for a hotel. You can enter location (for example Okinawa), dates, and number of guests, as well as preferences on type of accommodation (a room, a home, a shared space), and a handy slider feature allows you to narrow it down to property in your price range. The website also has a map feature, so you can see where the place is located, very handy if you want to be close (or far) from the hub. There’s two ways to book; instant (denoted by a little lightning logo), which means you can click and pay and the place is instantly yours, or by contacting the host. This second option is used by the owners to vet potential customers a little, and make sure you’re a good fit. Remember, this is someones home, they get the final say on if you go. For example, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, staying in a home with a large family may not suit you or them!

Pros and cons.
As with anything, there’s good and bad to it. Let’s start off with the good. Firstly, it’s a fantastic way to meet new people from different cultures, and learn something about the locality you likely wouldn’t if you stayed in a hotel (for example, local bars and restaurants), secondly, it’s almost always much cheaper than a hotel (depending on the type of property you stay in), and third, it’s interesting to see how other people live. Now for the bad. First, you are staying in someone’s home, so it may feel awkward or have rules attached you aren’t used to (some hosts may have odd check in/ check out times, or even curfews, make sure you read the listing carefully), it may be in a less desirable area than you first hoped (a dark alley, or far from where you wanted to be), and it may not fit the description in the listing (no air con, shared room instead of private).

How to get the most from your experience.
First and foremost, read the listing carefully. Check it has all the facilities you desire, and is in a location you want to be in. Also, make sure you read the guest ratings. Each guest is asked to rate their stay at the end, a lot of these will be brutally honest and give you a good insight into how it actually is on the ground. Be aware too that hosts rate guests, so if you are badly behaved, they can write about it and you can’t remove it from your profile. Use the filters to narrow properties down to exactly what you want. So, if you’re looking for an entire home with three bedrooms for ¥8,000 a night or under, enter it so you can only see what you really want. This will make the process quicker and less tedious, as scrolling through pages and pages of accommodation gets tiresome in the end! Make a wish list. The site gives you the option to “heart” properties, and add them to wish lists of your making. I do this by adding properties I like to destinations I plan to visit. Finally, utilise your host. Most do it not just for the extra money, but to provide a wonderful experience for their guests. If you have questions, ask. Once your booking is confirmed, the host will contact you with details about getting there and checking in, as well as any other information like house rules and tips for the local area. A recent stay in Osaka saw my host be most forthcoming with information on trains, buses, restaurants, and culture way beyond my expectations. It was an excellent experience.

Intrigued? Check out the website for listings, and learn how you too can become an Air BnB host: www.airbnb.com