Much of the city's varied history and architecture can be admired from a simple walking tour, from the "Dublin Spire" built in the millennium to the gothic-style St Patrick's Cathedral and the ancient castle which stands guard above the banks of the River Liffey.

The National Library and National Museum are, surprisingly, free to explore, along with the Colin Barracks and the castle's courtyards and Chapel Royal. If you are in Dublin on a Tuesday, there is also a free tour of the House of Lords which is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the country's troubled politics.

For a taste of Ireland beyond the capital, a reasonable bus ticket and short ride will allow you to enjoy the fifty acres of the National Botanic Gardens. To the south, Sandycove has a renowned bathing spot to tempt brave travelers into the chill of the Irish Sea whilst Killney hill boasts a fantastic (and free) panorama of the city below.

Eating and Drinking

Dublin may be better known for its barrels of Guinness but it still houses some good quality eateries. If you are drawn to a traditional meal, many pubs will offer a variation on "Irish Stew," although recent cosmopolitan influences mean international restaurants are often more affordable.

Another good budget bet is the Cedar Tree off Grafton Street which serves hearty Lebanese fare at a good price, particularly the early-bird special. The set lunch at Ristorante Romano on Capel Street, meanwhile, offers excellent value for money on Italian dishes.

Alternatively, you could pick up lunch from recommended Munchies Sandwich Bar and head to nearby St. Stephens Green. Here you can picnic away from the bustle of the city and enjoy the quiet company of James Joyce's statue and the park's resident ducks!

Nightlife

As a modern, lively city, Dublin also has plenty of entertainment after dark. Temple Bar is renowned for housing more pubs than even the most seasoned drinker can crawl between but it can be uncomfortably crowded during tourist season and its reputation has pushed up the price of a Guinness. For a cheaper drink, nearby Camden Street is a similarly enjoyable night out and sticking to pints and stout can stretch those Euros still further!

Walking through the streets at night, you're as likely to hear traditional music issuing from the door of a bar as pop tunes and, as late licensing means there is little distinction between pubs and clubs in Ireland, adding music to your evening often comes without the inconvenience of paying entry.

Hard-core clubbers may be tempted to experience the Gaiety Theater which becomes an electronic/dance club at weekends. As it stays open till very late and has five floors of DJs spinning beats, it offers surprising value for money. Just remember to pick a hostel with a late curfew to avoid spending the night on a bridge by the Liffey!

Where to Stay

And when it comes to places to stay, Dublin is packed with good, reasonable accommodation, with the prices at Dublin Hostels ranging from €16 for a dorm bed at Kinlay House, to €23 for a rather swanky private room at the Dublin City Bunkhouse.

It's never a bad idea to check out a variety of Dublin hostel photos before deciding on your bed for the night. But frankly, Kinlay House and Dublin City Bunkhouse make an attractive pair, and are right up there with the very best hostels in Dublin, anyway.

As both hostels are centrally located and Dublin itself is relatively compact, it's possible to explore the whole of the city on foot. Which gives you all the more opportunity to soak up its unique atmosphere and save a little extra cash as you do so!

Take a pre paid taxi from Delhi International Airport to Main Bazaar, Parahganj in the heart of Old Delhi and check yourself into hotel Namaskar. The taxi should cost around 250 to 350 rupees and the hotel is low budget at around 800 rupees per night. You get what you pay for; small concrete clad rooms, squatter toilets, solid beds with a couple of blankets, and a bucket and cup for washing.

Tip: You can get an upgrade to a shower and a Euro toilet but it will cost you more and you would be better to check into an all round nicer place for the price they will charge you.

6am

Get yourself an authentic Indian style breakfast from Sonu Café on Main Bazaar. Highly recommended is a Masala Dosa which is like a crispy pancake and spicy vegetables rolled to make a delicious, very affordable meal. Top it all off with a cup of steaming hot Chai Sweet Tea which will give you a sugary burst for the start of the day whilst admireing the roaming cows and dogs as you dine.

7am

Head down to the Delhi Railway Station, a short walk to the end of Main Bazaar, and book yourself a return ticket to Agra and the Taj Mahal. A 3 to 4 hour train journey each way makes this an easy day trip. 2nd class sleeper carriage bookings would be recommended on the train, getting you soft, roomy seating, sleeping options, and of course the blessed air con. This is unless you want to ride 3rd class (the cheapest option) and bear the journey with wooden seats, no windows, and no air con.

10am

Grab a cab or if you prefer the more excitable option, an autorickshaw, and head to the gates of the worlds most famous marble structure, the Taj Mahal. At the checkpoint, there are certain things you will not be able to take in so be prepared to get yourself a safe deposit box for these things. The guards at the checkpoint will happily show you how to do this. This is recommended anyway as pick pockets and scam artists are very prevalent in the area especially outside the gates.

Once inside take some pics and guide yourself, as navigation of the place is easy and unless you want to hear all the amazing facts about the Taj, a guide is not necessary. Make sure you get a picture of the marvellous structure in the waters reflection. You will have no problem getting somebody to take the shot for you but be prepared to pay a small fee for their help though.

Tip: Remember to remove your shoes before entering the Taj because if you don't, you will soon be told!

12pm

Grab a bite to eat and a refreshing Kingfisher at one of the many nearby cafes. If you're low on cash, head further from the Taj Mahal attraction to get the better deals. Definitely don't buy from the vendors at the entrance to the Taj. Alternately, you can wait for the train trip back to Delhi and buy from the many sellers that get on the train at the many stops. They are very affordable and usually have a generous selection.

1pm

Catch the 2nd class sleeper back to Delhi making sure you get in a few winks as you still have a lot to do before the day is out.

4pm

Back at Delhi Train Station, grab a bottle of water and an autorickshaw and get the driver to take you to the Red Fort via the Indian Government Buildings and India Gate. The rickshaw ride should cost you around 40 rupees to get to the Government Buildings but be prepared to barter and pick and choose for a good deal. The driver might wait around to take you on to the Red Fort but for a good price. But it's easy enough to find another willing driver anyway.

The Government Buildings and India Gate are within walking distance of each other and are really just photo ops for the share elegance and vastness of the buildings. Pics of the guards with big machine guns are not advisable.

Once at Red Fort, get yourself a guide and let him walk you through the structure as it is a fairly sizeable place and in some instances could be quite boring if you didn't know what you were looking at. They have some great stories and provide you with some added fun along the way. Just be sure he is not charging you an arm and a leg for the tour. In most cases he may ask you to give him a price to take you around so just compare with your taxi rides, food, etc and decide on a fair price. Tip him well if he does a good job.

6pm

For something a bit different and to ease your shopping urges, head to the Underground Markets, which incidentally are underground, and start spending. Get your fix of traditional clothing, items of jewellery, and everybody's favourite, a massive selection of counterfeit DVD's.

Tip: For DVD's, make sure you go to a place that has a DVD player so they can show you the quality of your purchases. All places say they are "very good quality" but you don't really want people clapping, cheering, and walking around in the middle of your blockbuster movie.

7pm

Walk to the nearby Connaught Circle to get your only taste of Western style shops in Delhi, including a McDonalds, which incidentally, is the only one in a city of about 8 million. Try the Maharaja Mac, India's answer to the Big Mac. If you have some spare cash, purchase a Naga Shawl which is a hand made rug that can be used as a wall hanging or for an extra blanket. These range in price from around 600 rupees onwards.

8pm

Head back to Pahraganj and eat dinner at Sam's Rooftop Restaurant on Main Bazaar. Yep that's right, it's a rooftop restaurant which offers you an amazing view of the streets below and the surrounding areas.

Tip: Order Indian meals rather than the European style meals they have on offer. They cook European meals very badly at Sam's and so a vegetarian paneer (potato) curry and a naan will do you and your stomach just fine.

10pm

Grab some takeaway Kingfisher big bottles from Sam's and head back to Hotel Namaskar for some much needed rest and relaxation before departure the following morning.

1am

Most of the taxi drivers to take you to the airport will be in bed at this time but fair not; most, if not all, sleep in their cars on the side of the road and will not hesitate to take you to the airport departure area, for a larger fee of course. Remember, because it is early morning and not a pre paid taxi, you will pay a lot more than you did for your fare into Delhi.

2am

Check in and rest up before your departure to wherever your next destination may be. Have fun!

On Accommodation

The first night there was rather haphazard. We reached the airport at about 6.30PM; from there we have to find our way to our hotel situated in Ximenting. We literally asked our way to our hotel and got the shock of my life. Not because of the conditions of the hotel, not because we could not find it, but simply because I got the date wrong. My trip was supposed to be from the 22 May to 29 May, but I booked the rooms from 22 Apr to 29 Apr. I cannot believe my carelessness and I never felt so stupid before. Fortunately, the lady from the counter decides to help me out by calling the agency which I booked the rooms from. With their help I managed to continue my stay in the hotel without having to pay extra money thus averting a "costly" mistake. I wish to thank the hotel staffs for their help and also the agency that allowed me to change date with such a short notice. (For those who are interested in the hotel, please refer to this site, for more details. And the site which I booked the rooms from is, Octopus Travel.) To add on, this hotel is quite a budget one. We spent 567 SGD for seven nights there. This breaks down to 40.5 SGD per person per night. The location is good, right at the heart of Ximenting. It is most suitable for those who are not spending a lot of time in the hotel.

Personal ratings for the hotel:
Service 4/5
Hotel quality 3/5
Location 4.5/5

Final comments, I would still choose this hotel if I were to go to Taipei again. It is quite worth the money and you cannot really find too many other hotels with a better location.

On Travel

When I am first there, I was quite shocked by their disorganized traffic. I must say that their road users are generally quite reckless. There are a huge numbers of vehicles on the road making things worse. Fortunately, in Taipei they have an extensive MRT system, locals call it 捷运. I find the MRT the most convenient way to move about in Taipei. You can reach most parts of Taipei City just by taking the MRT. There are tourist information counters in every MRT stations, so if you need any assistance you can just approach the staff there. Interesting enough, inside the MRT station, you would see a totally different sight as compared to their disorganized traffic. People inside the station move about in an orderly manner. For example, they would keep to the right when using the escalator so as to allow people who are rushing for time to move on the left. They would even queue up for their chance to board the MRT train. Inside the train there are priority seats allocated for those who are disabled or pregnant and etc. The people there would generally avoid taking up these seats even when the train is crowded. This is something which I salute them for.

Final comment, like I said before, the MRT is the easiest mode of transport and it is relatively fast as well. It is quite cheap as well, most suitable for travellers on a free and easy trip yet on a budget. If you want to travel to the outskirts of Taipei City, you may choose to transfer to a railway train.

On the Locals

The locals are generally quite helpful. They will help if you ask. But one thing to note is that, not all of them are fluent with English, it would be best if you speak mandarin. If not, the staffs from the information counters would be able to assist you in English, so fear not. The staffs from the information counters are very polite and they serve with enthusiasm. There was one incident when a lady went all the way to help us purchase our tickets for the railway train ride to one of the city's outskirts. This is how far they would go to help a total stranger, and I find it rather heart-warming.

On Food and Shopping

There are quite a number of places to eat and shop over at Taipei. I will just introduce a few.

Shi Lin Night Market

This is a place for tourists to try out the local delicacies. Food like (it is basically fried cockles with egg, sounds simple but it taste really good), 棺材板 (this is fried bread with some sort of fillings inside) and the XXXXXL chicken cutlet are some of the specialties here. There are still quite a wide variety of foods over at Shi Lin. You have to try those stalls along the streets; those are equally good as well. But those are up to you to find out. I would not want to elaborate further as there are simply too many to describe.

Other than food, you can also opt to shop for cheap stuffs over here. The whole area is filled with retail shops of clothes, shoes and etc. These items are all quite cheap. However shoppers would have to compromise in terms of the quality. Try not to make hasty decisions just because the stuffs here are cheap. Take a good look before you decide to but as some of the items here are in really bad shape.

I picked up a couple of T-shirts over here for just less than 10 SGD. So this is a must-go area for shopaholics.

Ximenting

Ximenting is a total different sight as of Shi Lin. In Ximenting you would not see as many street stalls. And the foods here are of an even wider variety. Not only you can find local food but also food from other cultures. The things here are not exceptionally cheap but if you spend some time walking around, you will still find shops that offer good price for some quality items. You can shop for souvenirs as well. There are shops that offer personalized souvenirs for you to bring home.

I think the most famous food stall over here is (it is a local type of vermicelli; it is very popular in Ximenting. Most of the time you would need to queue up for it). The "Bubble" Tea here is also a must-try. "Bubble" Tea is a special type of drink that originates from Taiwan. There is a long list of flavours for you to choose from. So take your time to try out the different flavours.

Please note that Ximenting is only alive after about 11.30AM. So avoid going there too early.

Jiufen

Jiufen is a place outside of Taipei City. It is not really simple to get there. You would have to take a train from Taipei railway station to reach 瑞方 (Ruifang) station. Then transfer onto a bus to reach Jiufen. Just approach the tourist information counters for help if you are lost.

Jiufen is more of a place for food than shopping. The local specialty here is the pineapple cookies and other Chinese-style cookies. If you intend to bring some cookies home, I would recommend that you place your order with the cookie stalls then start your sightseeing, as you would likely have to wait for 30mins to an hour for your orders. These cookies are freshly baked so I believed it is quite worth the wait. Other than the cookies there is still an interesting food called the 芋圆冰 (this is yam balls with ice.)

Danshui Old Street

There is a lot of food to try here but there are just a few local specialties. One of which is 阿婆铁蛋 (it is actually preserved egg). I did not try this as I do not fancy salty stuff. But my friend tried it and he said it is not very salty and the taste is not too bad. So if you like salty food maybe you can give it a shot. Other than the egg, another food I would like to recommend is 阿给 (the locals named it arcade. It is hard to picture it just by its name. It is basically beancurd stuffed with some kind of fillings and vermicelli.)

Danshui is not really a place for shopping as well. But you can find very interesting souvenirs over here.

Wulai

Wulai is situated at the outskirts of Taipei City, where the natives live in. So you can find really exotic food here. One food that I strongly recommend is the wild boar products over here. You can try out the wild boar sausage, it tastes really good. And if you are daring enough you can even try food like bees. Yeah bees, a kind of insects that collect honey. Haha... We tried the bees. Though it is not very appealing or appetizing from the sight of it, it tastes really good when we eat them. It is deep fried. So it turned out to be very crispy. You would not have a feeling that you are eating bees once they are in your mouth.

You can check out other products by the natives here. There are some other foods that taste really good as well.

Yong Kang Street

>This is the last place that I want to introduce. I must say that as compared to the places I mentioned above, the food here are relatively more expensive. However, you can expect a higher quality and service as the price get higher. The most famous restaurant here is 鼎泰丰, it is a restaurant serving Chinese cuisine. We did not manage to try it as it was extremely crowded when we were there. It was quite a pity. So I would recommend you call to reserve a place the day before, if not you might end up like us.

Fortunately, we still managed to taste another food that is quite extraordinary. The stall is called 冰馆 (it literally means a room of ice). The ice dessert here is quite huge. I would recommend 2 people to share one.

On Sightseeing and Entertainment

I think there aren't a lot of places with good sceneries over in Taipei. And the main focus of my trip to Taipei is not sightseeing, so I dare not comment too much on this issue. However I still have places to recommend, but they are really quite limited.

Yang Ming Shan

Yang Ming Shan seems to be a tourists' hotspot for sightseeing. Sad to say we did not go there simply due to the extremely hot weather while we were there. Temperature can hit 38 °C. So we decided that it was not a good idea to go there for sightseeing. Though we did not go there I still believe that it is a place worth going if the weather is not that hot. Maybe in the autumn it would be a perfect place for sightseeing.

Wulai

Yes, Wulai again. That is why I highly recommend this place. Not only is it good for shopping, it also have some pretty decent sceneries as well. I think the main attraction would be Wulai's waterfall. Though is not a very huge one, it is still worth going. You can just treat the journey there as an after-meal exercise.

Ba Li

Ba Li is a place near Danshui. You can take a ferry to reach there from Danshui. From there you can have a good view of Danshui and the sea. Once again the view is not exceptionally good but it is still better than nothing.

As for entertainment, I think I really cannot comment too much on this. There are quite a lot of hot springs in Taipei that serve as a form of "entertainment". However due to the weather, we did not go to any hot springs. (The weather is already hot enough)

I think in Taipei the main entertainment in Taipei would be shopping. You can go check out the clubs and their nightlife if you are keen. Other than that I don't really think there are any other entertainments. If you can find any entertainment that is worth trying over in Taipei, please contribute.

Conclusion

I went to Taipei for eight days and seven nights. There are several things I want my reader to take note of. I will list them in point form for easy reference.

1. The weather is very hot in this time of the year over at Taipei. I live in Singapore, a country that is constantly warm and humid throughout the year, so if I feel that it is hot over there then it got to be really hot. Temperatures can hit 38°C, making it very uncomfortable to sightsee in open areas. So I suggest not going for such a long trips during this warm period of the year. Maybe a 3-4 days trip would be enough. If you want a longer trip, then maybe go during autumn or winter period.
2. Taipei isn't a very big place. So I do not suggest people to go there on a package tour. The transportation system there is quite well done and convenient. So it is really easy to move about. The tourist guide and map provided at the airport is quite comprehensive and detailed, so you won't get lost easily. Furthermore, if you go on a package trip, you will definitely miss out a lot on shopping and the food over there. There are a lot to taste, see and shop, and I am very sure you would want to do it at your own pace.
3. I have to admit that the food there taste really good. But I think that is because most of them are spiced up with excessive seasonings and oil. So I believed that the foods there are relatively unhealthy. Anyway, I think it is ok to indulge in such food once in a while. Just like when you are there for a trip. Another thing to add on. I put on quite some weight from the trip. So I got to start exercising to get rid of those excess fats. lol...
4. This is a warning to shopaholics out there. Be prepared that you might spend so much that you may find yourselves with insufficient money to get back to the airport to catch your flight. Haha... I am not kidding. The things there are often much cheaper than you can find elsewhere. So I believed there is no point in asking you to bring more money just in case, as you will end up spending those excess cash as well. lol...

James Joyce

Anyone familiar with the work of James Joyce will relish a trip to the setting of many of his novels. Dublin is intrinsically linked to the work of the modernist author. One of his most famous books, Ulysses, is set in a day in the life of the city and several tours and guided walks allow travelers to follow in the footsteps of Leopold Bloom.

Travelers can also visit the Martello Tower in Sandycove where the novel opens. Situated eight miles south of Dublin, the tower is now a dedicated Joyce museum.

Alternative Joyce landmarks just around the corner from practically all hostels in Dublin, include the Custom House which is mentioned in the Eumaeus episode of Ulysses, or the General Post Office in O'Connell Street.

Oscar Wilde

Dublin's other famous son Oscar Wilde has also contributed to the city's tourist scene.

A must visit in the city is, of course, the Oscar Wilde House Museum. Supported by the American College, Dublin, Wilde's birthplace is open to visitors throughout the year and has been lovingly resorted to its Georgian grandeur.

In Merrion Square Park towards the south of the city, visitors can find a statue of the author, who once lived at a house on the edge of the traditional square.

Samuel Beckett

Samuel Beckett was born in the Foxrock area of Dublin and is also regarded as one of the city's most revered exports.

The Samuel Beckett Theater at Trinity College is where the playwright's influence is strongest. The campus theater plays host to a series of annual events including the Dublin Fringe Festival, the International Dance Festival and the Dublin Theater Festival.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin is a must for fans of all three authors. Not only did Wilde and Joyce study at the institution, so did Stephen Dedalus - the main character of Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Other famous names to grace the halls of Trinity College include Jonathan Swift and Dracula author Bram Stoker.

The Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing regularly runs events to celebrate the works of the famed author and playwright, as well as the achievements of new and lesser-known

Santa Cruz has a very unique history and a nice climate that I think you'd like to know about. Santa Cruz was named after one of the 21 missions that Father Junipero Serra built. This mission, sadly, was burnt down in 1856. Santa Cruz is located on the shore of Monterey Bay and it is also the county seat of Santa Cruz County. It was also the epicenter of a large earthquake in 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Santa Cruz has a Mediterranean climate where the temperatures are mild, with an average high temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. The summers in Santa Cruz are very foggy and the winters are when most rain falls. Because the local weather is so mild and damp, the mascot of U. C. Santa Cruz is the Banana Slug. Approximately 54,593 people live in Santa Cruz. 27,180 of these people are men and 27,413 are women.

There are many attractions in Santa Cruz. One of the most popular is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which is the oldest in California. At the Boardwalk, you can have your fortune told in its arcade or buy a bag of salt water taffy. The most popular ride at the Boardwalk is the Giant Dipper, which is 75 years old. The Boardwalk is free, but to go on the rides you have to pay $1.95 for one ride, or buy unlimited rides for $30.00. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an attraction you should not miss when going to Santa Cruz.

Another of Santa Cruz's attractions is the Santa Cruz Natural History Museum. Most people who visit there think the highlight of the Museum is a life size model of a California Grey Whale. The Museum also shows about the culture of Native Californians that lived in Santa Cruz, the Ohlone. The Natural Museum's exhibit about the Ohlone is the only one in the Santa Cruz area. Children also love the Museum because of its dig-a-fossil exhibit. Admission is $2.50 for adults, but children are free. The Museum may not be as spectacular as the New York Natural History Museum, but I think that you should visit here if you're in the Santa Cruz area.

If you are ready for an adventure in Santa Cruz, go to Wilder Ranch State Park. It has over 34 miles of biking and hiking of coastal and valley trails. Several historic buildings that the Wilder family used are still intact and are used as exhibits. Admission to Wilder State Park is free. If you are interested in outdoor sports or history, Wilder Ranch is a must.

If you are a big fan of nature and want to escape from the city, I think you should go to Big Basin State Park, California's oldest state park. It is the largest redwood forest south of San Francisco, consisting of 18,000 acres. Inside the Park, there are 80 miles of natural trails. Its forests house an endangered species of bird, the Marbled Murrelet. Reservations are advisable if you want to visit Big Basin State Park in the summer. If you enjoy the natural environment and redwood trees, you should come to Big Basin State Park.

In conclusion, Santa Cruz is a great city with many attractions, and it is a fun place to go to. So if you're the President of the United States, or just an average kid in Laguna Niguel, I recommend that you should come to Santa Cruz.

 

1. Act Proud.

   No one loves Lebanon like the Lebanese, and with good reason. However, if you're going to be believable, you must even exceed even the Canadian pride in Canada. Statistics are always good. You could offer: "Did you know that Lebanon is first in the world in hummus consumption?" I just made it up, but it might be true and would show your local pride.

2. Act Sexy.

   The locals are, well - how shall I put this? - image conscious. Lucky for you, many of the local customs are very American Influenced, but with an Arab flair for head scarves and heavy eye makeup. The styles mesh well: there is more great looking bumper in Beirut than at a GM factory.

3. Drive Ridiculous.

   If you see an opening that even smells like your car will fit through it, hit that spot right now! If it looks like your car won't fit, see #4.

4. Honk.

   Honk before and after everything, and then on occasion just for good measure. The most effective seems to be the double honk.

5. Eat Mezze.

   Eat it by the boatload.

6. Be Friendly.

   The Lebanese are very social and will offer you their Mezze; you should eat it.

7. Be Late.

   The plane left late. Dinner was late. It is very normal to be on time by being at least 30 minutes late. To be fair, the Lebanese are very busy people. All that hummus doesn't just make itself...

8. Talk on your cell phone.

   Never turn down any call, ever. For example: You might be shaking hands with Michael Sopkiw, and your barber calls to confirm an appointment. You would answer your phone, meandering to and fro as you chat-it-up in French and/or Arabic while Michael Sopkiw just waits. You may double your indigenous score if you show up somewhere late whilst chatting on your phone when you walk in.

9. Hold a rock concert at a historic site.

   Lebanon has some of the most impressive Roman ruins in the world. They build scaffolding over it and host concerts. If possible, doing this will secure your indigenous status beyond doubt. The upside of their liberal policy with these sites is that they are remarkably accessible; I recommend Lebanon highly as a leading edge travel site.