Where To Eat In Amsterdam

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Where To Eat In Amsterdam

1. Thai-Bird Snack Bar

Location: Zeedijk 77, 1012 AS Amsterdam, Netherlands

Telephone: +31 20 420 6289

This is said to have the best Thai food in Amsterdam. This little cafe houses 20 people and is good for some snacks and take away. Right across the street, the restaurant version is good for dine ins and have more varieties. Stop here for some snacks or dinner after your day in Amsterdam.

2. Loetje

Location: Johannes Vermeerstraat 52, 1071 DT Amsterdam

Telephone: +31 20 662 8173

Located on a terrace, this bustling cafe specializes in steaks and Dutch classic cuisines.  A beef fillet cost 16.50 Euros and the spicy version 'Bali' is 17.50 Euros. Do note that all the steaks served here are rare. If you can't stomach rare beef, there is also other options like pork schnitzer, hamburgers and tuna.
3. De Kas
Location: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Telephone: +31 20 462 4562
 

 This restaurant is converted from a gorgeous bright garden conservatory. This is a perfect place if you want taste Mediteranean dishes. Their ingredients are all grown on site and are organic. The transparent glass gives the restaurant brightness, letting natural light shining through.

4. Bazar

Location: Albert Cuypstraat 182, 1073 BL Amsterdam, Netherlands

Telephone: +31 20 675 0544

Located in the church Albert Cuypstraat, this middle eastern restaurant features Lebanese, Turkish and Iranian. Not only does it has good food, it's decorations are also to die for. From pretty tiles and murals to mesmerizing Arabian lights, this resturant will give you the ultimate experience that you've always longed for.

5. Dining with locals with BonAppetour

You can also check out our amazing hosts in Amsterdam at BonAppetour. You get to choose from Mediterranean, Dutch, Thai or Indian food. After a good meal, you can even ask our friendly hosts to show you around town! What are you waiting for hurry up and check out our hosts now!

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10 Bangkok Street Foods That You Need To Try

10 Bangkok Street Foods That You Need To Try

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10 Bangkok Street Foods That You Need To Try.

1. Prata

The plain prata, drizzled with condensed milk and chocolate syrup, brings just the right amount of sweetness to your mouth. There is also other flavours of prata such as the banana prata sold among hundreds of prata stalls along the streets of Bangkok.

2. Tom Yum Goong

This signature Thai dish is filled with the quintessential spices such as lemograss, chilli, lime leaves, galangal and many more. This sweet, sour and spicy seafood soup will give a flavour burst in your mouth.

3. Pad Thai

pad-thai

Thai food uses a lot of spices and sauces and this dish is no exception. The chewy noodles are stir fried with chunks of tofu, beansprouts, eggs and flavoured with tamarind pulp and fish sauce. As saucy as the Bangkok weather.

4. Grilled squid

thaisquid

This is hard to resist as you stroll along the streets of Bangkok. Vendors fan these plump squids with their fans, tempting customers with their aroma. These char-grilled creatures are chewy and juicy. If you want an extra kick, dip it into the sweet and spicy sauce that always come with grilled squid.

5. Fried meat balls and sausages

Fried foods are always the essentials in any food markets or street stalls. The variaties of skewers can be shocking. Fish balls, meat balls, japanese chirage wrapped with seaweed, sausages, rolls of fish cakes in tofu skin etc. You name it, they have it.

6. Grilled sticky rice cake

The two sides of the sticky rice cakes gets caramelized and crispy after being grilled. Seasoned with just a little of salt and pepper, the rice cake is crunchy on the outside and sticky on the inside. Even better, some of them are little burnt on the sides.

7. Mango sticky rice

There is an abundance of mangoes in Thailand which resulted in this ingenious creation. Sweet ripe mangoes are paired with steaming sticky rice. A generous splash of sweet condensed milk is added to give the sweet milky taste. You can’t miss out this when you are in Bangkok.

8. Kanom Jeeb

Kanom Jeebs are Thai meat-based steamed dumplinngs. They may contain shrimps, shitake mushrooms, water chestnust or other fillings. Dip these delicious dumplings into some hot sauce or fried garlic sauce for an even better combination.

9. Hoy Tod

hoy-thod

There is something that is better than oysters and that is Hoy Tod (oyster omelettes). Oysters are fried with eggs to make an omelette and the combination is to die for. Sometimes, fresh oysters are topped onto the omelette before serving. The oysters are so fresh and juicy that they are so hard to resist. Remeber to always dip them into the garlic chillic sauce that comes with it. The sauce and the omeletter go hand in hand and cannot be seperated.

10. Seafood

As you walk along any food markets in Bangkok, there is no shortage of seafood, be it raw or cook. Shells, clams, crabs, prawns squids can be pre cooked and sold in packets, If you fancy a seafood of your choice, you can pick fresh seafood and ask to cook in a way of your choice.

Over to you

When you are in Bangkok, check out our local hosts! They can whip up some really authentic dishes such as Tom Yum Goong, seafood, and mango sticky rice. Don’t miss out the chance for an authentic Thai home dining experience.

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Tips for preventing theft while travelling

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Tips for preventing theft while travelling

Travellers are unfortunately easy targets for pickpockets, particularly in touristy areas. The loss of valuables is distressing and can ruin what would otherwise be an enjoyable and relaxing vacation. But we can prevent ourselves from falling victim to thieves as long as we stay alert and do not let our guard down. 

Here are some tips to guard yourself against thefts!

1. Valuables – only the essentials

Items that are extremely precious to you, whether it is expensive pieces of jewellery or an heirloom, should be left at home. You will not want to catch the attention of thieves with your sparkling and pricey jewellery. Bring only the essential items, namely your passport, money, camera, mobile phone and the credit and debit cards you intend to use. 

2. Cash – separate them

Rather than placing all the cash that you have on hand in your wallet, place only a sufficient amount in your wallet for the day and keep the rest in a separate pouch or store them in different compartments of your wallet. You can also choose to split your cash with your travel companion or place them in hidden pockets in your clothing. That way, you are less likely to draw unnecessary attention when making purchases. 

3. Valuables that you will not use – store them

Do make use of the security safe if it is provided at your lodging. Use it to store valuable items that you are unlikely to use on the go, such as your laptops, tablets, camera lens, spare cash as well as your passport. Bring along a combination lock in the event that a security safe is not provided in your lodging and store your valuables in your suitcase and remember to lock it before you set off! For extra security, you may consider burying your valuables with dirty clothing in your suitcase before you lock it.

4. Day bags – go for zipper closures

Your day bag for travelling should be large enough to store items that you will need on the go and have enough inner compartments for you to organise your belongings. But it should also be sufficiently small and discreet such that it does not attract unnecessary attention. Whether you prefer a cross-body bag or backpack, the day bag you pick should have a zip closure so that your valuables are not left exposed.

Avoid bags with drawstring or flap closures as they give pickpockets easy access to belongings in your bag. Those who want to carry backpacks should also consider locking their bags for added security. 

5. Dressing and mannerisms – not like a tourist!

Appear like a tourist – let your camera hang around your shoulder, look lost, open your maps in the middle of the street and speak loudly – and you will catch the attention of pickpockets. Blend in with the local community and you are less likely to be a target of thieves. Dress appropriately and be mindful of local customs in the destination you are visiting so that you do not end up standing out. Keep your camera away if you are not using it and avoid opening maps in the middle of the street – head to a corner if you need to look up directions or approach a local!

Appear calm and confident when on the go, even if you are lost. You may want to plan your itinerary in advance and seek advice on directions from locals you meet, be it the receptionist at your accommodation or service staff at stores. You are less likely to be identified as a tourist when you appear to know your way around.

6. Be alert

Stay vigilant, be mindful of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you wherever you go. Take extra care when you are in crowded and touristy places as pickpockets are likely to be lurking around and waiting for unsuspecting tourists to prey on. Avoid areas that are dark, secluded and poorly lit as they are perfect conditions for skillful thieves to work in. 

Do not leave valuables exposed and be wary of strangers who approach you. Pickpockets may not necessarily appear like pickpockets and they can work in teams to distract preys in an attempt to run off with their valuables. 

When dining out or taking public transport, do not place your bags on the floor or leave them unattended. Your bags may be taken away when you are not paying attention to them. Either carry your bag or place it on your lap and keep an eye on it – do not give pickpockets a chance to take your valuables away!

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Tips for planning a holiday with seniors

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Tips for planning a holiday with seniors

Whether we are young or old, age is no barrier to travelling as long as we are fit and healthy. But when planning a holiday with seniors, be mindful that they have different needs and are unlikely to have the same energy levels as younger travellers. Nevertheless, a holiday with your senior family members can be a memorable one as long as preparations are done well. 

Here are some tips for an enjoyable and fuss-free vacation with seniors! 

1. Destination

Pick a destination that is senior-friendly, bearing in mind the interests of seniors as well as the fact that they may have existing medical conditions. For seniors who are history buffs, a destination with plenty of historical and cultural sights will surely delight them! Nature-loving seniors will enjoy destinations with plenty of green spaces. Besides looking up the attractions available, do take note of the medical facilities available so that in the event of an emergency, you know that where to seek help. 

Other factors to consider include the climate of the place, disability access and ease of transport. If your senior travel companions have mobility issues or are sensitive to extreme weather conditions, choose a destination that can sufficiently accommodate their needs.

2. Daily itinerary

Take it slow and easy when travelling with seniors. Avoid packing too many activities into the travel itinerary as seniors do not have the same energy levels as younger travellers. Be flexible, allow for breaks throughout the day and ensure they get sufficient rest. Depending on your destination and the needs of the seniors you travel with, about two to three activities in a day would suffice. 

3. Packing essentials

Essentials such as prescribed medication, first aid kit, water bottle, light snacks as well as important documents should be packed inside a carry-on bag. If your senior travel companions have existing medication conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, ensure that you also pack a blood pressure monitor and blood glucose meter. Ensure that seniors have easy access to this bag of essentials.

Do bring a prescription letter from the doctor in the event that you need to get medication on the go – it will be better to bring your senior loved ones to the doctor and seek advice on how much medication to bring as you may not always be able to find them at a pharmacy abroad.  

4. Travel light

The suitcase that your senior travel companions carry should be fitted with wheels and sufficiently light so that it is easier to transport around. Apart from the essentials, bring just enough clothing and toiletries to last seniors for the entire trip. Heavy suitcases will only be a strain on the joints and back of seniors. If your senior travel companions have mobility issues or joint problems, consider sharing a suitcases with your senior travel companions so that there will be less baggage to handle. 

5. Choose non-stop flights where possible

Flying non-stop may mean higher air fares but it also means shorter journey times, not to mention that they are hassle-free. Connections do not only prolong journey times, but can also taxing for seniors, particularly those with mobility issues. Running from one gate to another to catch a connecting flight is probably the last thing you and your senior travel companion would like to. If flight connections are inevitable, pick one with a minimum layover of 2 hours so that seniors will have enough time to get around. 

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