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A Stay at The Harbor House Inn in Elk, California

Top 8 Travel Tips for Japan

Japan is nothing short of a wonderland. The food is excellent, the cities are extremely clean and there’s so much to see and do!

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, or even thinking about visiting, below are 8 travel tips that I found the most helpful on a recent trip to the country.

1. Pocket Wi-Fi will be your best purchase. Before you take off on your flight, order a pocket wi-fi and pick it up at the airport once you land in Japan. Pocket wi-fi is extremely helpful because it’s portable, runs on battery, and lets you access wi-fi from your mobile devices almost anywhere. This is great when you’re trying to navigate a completely new city (and country!) since you’ll be able to use Google Maps and an internet browser to look up places to go, while on the go.

We used Pupuru Wi-Fi and had no complaints. It lasted almost all day (8-9 hours) on a full charge while we were out exploring.

2. Walk or take public transportation. Japan’s public transportation system is amazing — it’s always on time, so clean and makes traveling within the country simple. I strongly suggest you take the subway, trains, or even just walk around. Walking from place to place gives you the opportunity to explore all the neighborhoods and hidden alleyways with bars/restaurants/shops that you probably wouldn’t have come across otherwise.

3. Bring a plastic bag with you for trash. I don’t think we saw one public trash can as we walked through five cities in Japan. The country is extremely clean, but you probably won’t find a trash can out in the open (you will find vending machines, but that’s another story). As you’re walking through the cities, you’ll probably accumulate some trash from shops, food vendors and more, so bring along a small plastic baggie like a ziploc bag with you to throw them away while you’re on the go. You can throw all of this away in a convenience store or at your hotel/Airbnb at the end of the day.

4. Purchase a Japan Rail Pass. If you’re planning to hop from city to city and take the shinkansen, purchase a Japan Rail Pass. It was about $278 USD per person (at the time of this post) for a 7-day pass and you can use your rail pass to pay for any JR train (except the Mizuho and Nozomi Shinkansen). You’ll need to purchase the pass before you arrive in Japan, so buy it at home before your trip.

Cost-wise, it made more sense to purchase the JR Pass instead of purchasing individual train tickets separately, especially if you plan on taking the Shinkansen.

5. Bring cash! Japan is predominately a cash-only economy, so make sure to bring extra cash with you. This may have shifted slightly during the pandemic as cashless payments became more popular, but I’d still err on the side of bringing some cash just in case.

Especially if you’re planning on strolling through markets, street vendors, and eating ramen. You’ll be reaching for your yen and coins instead of a card more than you know.

Speaking of coins, it’s helpful to bring a little coin pouch with you (or buy one in Japan). I’ve never used coins as much as I did in Japan and having them all in one pouch made it much easier for purchases.

6. Convenience stores are great in Japan. I never thought I would recommend anyone to walk into a 7-Eleven but here we go. There was at least one convenience store (or ‘konbini’) on every couple of blocks – the most popular ones you’ll see are 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart.

But the thing is, the convenience stores in Japan aren’t just like your 7-Eleven in the states. The konbini are actually enjoyable, and even fun to be in. You’ll find the usual items in a Japanese convenient store like chips, toothbrushes and drinks, but you’ll find so many interesting options for all of those products. You can also stop in to grab a quick bite to eat, with items like freshly made rice balls (onigiri), sandwiches and pastries.

They also have ATMs where you can exchange or withdraw money (helpful for tip #5!).

7. Lockers at Train Stations. Most of the train stations in Japan have coin lockers that you can stash your backpack or suitcases in. This is incredibly helpful if you’re traveling between cities and need a place to put your bag down so you can explore the city before checking into your hotel or Airbnb.

Depending on how large your locker is, they only cost about 300 – 500 yen for the day. It’s as easy as finding an open locker, dropping your stuff in it, locking it, and paying for the locker. Just remember where your locker is since the train stations are pretty large.

8. Train stations are malls. If you have no where to be, getting lost in a train station isn’t such a bad idea. The train stations are so large and inside you’ll find grocery stores, great food to take out, clothing stores and so much more. Major train stations also have a shopping area that’s multiple floors (we’re talking 8 or 9). It’s really just incredible to be in the middle of it all.

Any other tips or thoughts? Let me know in the comments. Happy traveling!

Leila2022-02-02T19:56:07-08:00January 10th, 2022|Categories: Travel|Tags: japan, Travel|0 Comments

A Stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora

We’ve moved! Read more about our stay on our new site: The Tasteful Traveler.

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A trip to Bora Bora is really nothing but paradise. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, and want to live the overwater bungalow life, the St. Regis Bora Bora is the place to go.

Let’s break it down.

The Resort:

When you think St. Regis, you think luxury. And that’s exactly what you get at the St. Regis Bora Bora.

The resort property is huge and you can get around via walking, biking or by calling for a golf cart pickup/dropoff. The overwater villas are also some of the largest in the South Pacific, starting at 1,550 square feet so space is never an issue.

The property also has a Lagoonarium (pictured below) which is the St. Regis Bora Bora’s protected lagoon that hosts a myriad of fish, including a very large Napoleon fish named Terry. Guests are also able to snorkel in this lagoon so you can experience it all up close.

I highly recommend you go to the Lagoonarium for the scheduled fish feeding – it is informative and so fun to see all the types of fish and experience a feeding frenzy.

Even if you visit the St. Regis Bora Bora at peak time (like we did), you’ll find that it’ll feel like you have the resort to yourself. The most people you’ll see will be at breakfast when every one comes out for a few bites, but after that, you likely won’t run into many people. The beach will feel like it’s all yours.

The Room:

We stayed in the Overwater Deluxe Otemanu Villa thanks to an upgrade, and I just have to say that these villas are gorgeous. These deluxe Otemanu villas are facing Mount Otemanu so you get gorgeous views of the mountain and the sunset.

These villas are very spacious, and have an indoor lounge/living room space that’s separate from the bedroom. Both the living room and bedroom have floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to the outdoor terrace and dining space so you can wake up looking at the gorgeous turquoise waters.

The Amenities:

The St. Regis Bora Bora offers butler service and it is exceptional. From picking you up in a golf cart from the lobby and driving you to your bungalow, helping schedule and manage dinner reservations (and arranging pickup), and even getting your floatie blown up. They’ll check in with you when you’re at breakfast to make sure you have everything you need and talk about your day, and they’ll make sure you’re having a great time. The butlers are so incredibly nice and helpful, and really round out your experience at the St. Regis.

As mentioned above, you can get around the property via bike and that’s because each bungalow comes with complimentary bikes. They’re assigned to your villa number which is great so you don’t have to be on the lookout for a bike to grab at any given point (this is a real thing at some of the other Bora Bora resorts).

The overwater villas also offer in-room coffee/tea service. Just dial the number on the bungalow’s phone and arrange for a french press coffee and/or tea to come over the next morning and they’ll set it up where ever you’d like to enjoy it (highly recommend enjoying out on your deck so you can stare out at the water).

The Food:

When you’re staying at a resort in Bora Bora that’s not on the mainland (whether that’s the St. Regis or elsewhere), you’ll likely be eating a bulk of your meals at the resort. Which means restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines and types of food is good to have so you don’t get tired of eating the same thing every day (especially if you’re staying at that one resort for 3+ days), and good food is obviously always a must have. Luckily, the St. Regis Bora Bora has it all with five restaurants on site.

Te Pahu is an open-air restaurant located right next to the beach, and it’s where breakfast is served. Breakfast is typically a buffet, but in these times of Covid all dishes were on a menu that we could choose from and then they were brought to our table.

The St. Regis Bora Bora also hosts a Polynesian night on Wednesdays and an Indian night on Sundays at Te Pahu. Both are a treat but Polynesian night is great as you get to experience the delicious local cuisine and a Tamure dance show. Get there early for a seat at the front!

If there’s one restaurant at the resort that you absolutely must go to for dinner, it’s the Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges. This restaurant by the michelin-starred chef serves elegant French-Asian fusion cuisine in a dining room that’s set on the water and has glass panels in the floor so you can take a peek at the fish swimming underneath your feet.

The service is impeccable and all of the food is absolutely delicious. Try the five-course tasting menu and opt to be surprised with each delicious course, or choose dishes a la carte (or go twice like we did and get the tasting menu one night, and a la carte the next time. The uravena fish is highly recommended – pictured below). Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

(A hot tip: before your dinner reservation, go to the Lagoon restaurant for sunset and sit outside with a cocktail and appetizers in hand. The views are gorgeous from this spot).

Other restaurants on the resort include:

Bam Boo which features sushi, wok and teppanyaki dishes for dinner,
Far Niente which has Italian cuisine for dinner, and
Aparima Bar for lunch dishes, smoothies and more.

Don’t forget room service! If you’re staying in an overwater villa and prefer to lounge in your room and jump off the deck into the ocean all day (who could blame you?), order room service which is just as delightful as eating out at the restaurants.

The Verdict:

Is the St. Regis Bora Bora really worth a stay? If you’re wanting gorgeous overwater bungalows with stunning views of Mt. Otemanu, exceptional butler service, delicious food, and a gorgeous beach to lounge around in, in addition to other amenities – absolutely. I would go back to the St. Regis Bora Bora any day.

Need to think about what to pack for your trip? Check out the packing list here.

Happy traveling!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means if you buy something, my blog will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Leila2023-09-27T11:07:15-07:00January 6th, 2022|Categories: Food, Travel|Tags: bora bora, french polynesia, st. regis bora bora, Travel, vacation|0 Comments

What to Pack for Bora Bora

Planning a trip to Bora Bora? Outside of the usual things that you already know to pack (like swimsuits, flip flops, your toiletries), there are a few more things that you should definitely bring with you.

Sunscreen – and lots of it!

Many of the resorts have sunscreen available at the beach, free to use, but it’s always a good idea to bring a few reef-safe sunscreen packages with you (depending on how long you’re staying in Bora Bora) so you have it when you go on any excursions, in your room, etc.

My all-time favorite face sunscreen is this EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 sunscreen. It’s a mineral-based sunscreen (meaning it uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead of other chemicals) for UVA/UVB protection, is fragrance free, oil-free and water-resistant. It’s also lightly tinted so is great by itself or under makeup (and yes, the tinted version is totally fine for men).

Some other great reef-friendly options are below.

Insect Repellant

Even if the resorts treat their properties for mosquitos, it’s always a good idea to pack insect repellant for a tropical destination. Especially if you’re going on any land excursions in Bora Bora, like ATV-ing, hiking, etc.

The insect repellant I always pack when traveling is the below Repel insect repellant wipes. It’s so convenient to carry around and apply whenever you need! Plus it really works – it held up in Thailand and the nights I remembered to use it in Bora Bora.

Worst case scenario if you get multiple mosquito bites while traveling, try to hunt down tamanu balm. One of the locals recommended it to me at the St. Regis Bora Bora store on the resort and it helped tremendously with bites, cuts, you name it. Tamanu oil/balm originates in French Polynesia and has been a staple in their traditional medicine. It’s basically good for everything – cuts, burns, insect bites, sunburns, dry skin, and the list goes on.

Snorkel Mask Set

If you’re planning on snorkeling, you’ll find that many of the resorts (and excursion companies) have free snorkel masks and fins that they’re happy to provide. My tip is – bring your own snorkel mask and use the resort’s/excursion company’s flippers. Why? Because having a clean snorkel mask that you already know fits nicely, and has only been used by you and your mouth is key.

I bought the below snorkel mask set and loved it while we were in Bora Bora. The frameless mask gives you 180° viewing, and it is truly crystal clear, anti-fog and anti-leak.

Waterproof Dry Bag

If you’re planning on going on any water excursions (or even land excursions), pack a dry bag. This waterproof bag lets you store all your items away safely, no matter what you’re doing. We took our dry bag with us while on an ATV, a jet ski and our snorkeling adventures. (It also lasted through a trip to Thailand that was spent kayaking so it’s definitely durable). Needless to say, our phones, camera, etc. were safe and sound after tropical rain and a lot of waves.

Plastic Floatie

If you’re staying in an overwater bungalow, bring a plastic pool float in your travel bag so you can hop off your deck, and lounge about in the ocean any time you please. Your resort should be able to blow it up for you when asked, and nothing beats relaxing right off of your bungalow. It’s also a good idea to bring some rope so you’re able to tie the floatie to your bungalow outside when not in use (so it doesn’t float or fly away).

Water Shoes

There is coral everywhere, so it’s a good idea to make sure your feet are protected regardless of whether you’re going snorkeling or just walking from the beach into the ocean. That’s where water shoes come in. The ones I’m about to recommend below were tried and tested over a two week trip, so they’re reliable and get the job done. Not only do they protect your feet in the water, but they’re extremely versatile and comfortable. We wore these all the time while at the beach, when snorkeling, and even when we had an ATV trip followed by jet skis.

For women, these Speedo water shoes were the best. For men, the ALEADER slip on water shoes are also look pretty good. Some other great water shoe options below.

Happy traveling!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means if you buy something, my blog will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Leila2022-01-06T18:24:32-08:00December 23rd, 2021|Categories: Travel|Tags: bora bora, Travel, what to pack|0 Comments

Favorite Places & Spaces Along the Central Coast

Update Dec 22, 2021: Unfortunately a couple of the initial recommendations below have closed (I’ve noted them below), so this list has been updated with the latest favorite places and spaces.

The central coast of California is nothing less than a gem along the gorgeous coastline, situated halfway between LA and San Francisco.

From the thriving (and increasingly popular) Central Coast wine countries to the beaches, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Having lived in San Luis Obispo for a few years, and purposely making a visit to the area at least once a year, I have a lot of love for the central coast. So with that, here are the absolute favorite places and spaces along the Central Coast that you have to visit if you’re in the area. Enjoy!

1. Ember Restaurant, Arroyo Grande

Enjoying a meal at Ember Restaurant is a must while in the Central Coast. Featuring a seasonal menu that changes monthly, Ember offers authentic food and an impressive wine list where local wines reign.

Each dish is fresh, honest and served beautifully. Ember also features an open kitchen setup and a wood-fired brick oven where amazing pizzas (and other dishes like Wood Fired Octopus served with padron peppers, baby frisee, pancetta vinaigrette and lemon aioli) are cooked.

Make a reservation and go for dinner. You will not be disappointed.

2. Scout Coffee, San Luis Obispo

My all time favorite coffee shop, probably in the world (and no, I’m not exaggerating). Scout Coffee is a mom and pop shop that roasts their own beans (named HoneyCo Coffee) and serves up a really great cappuccino, as well as a honey tea bowl (pictured below), and housemade seasonal syrups. They also make some mean pastries – their sunshine buns are delightful and sell out quickly in the AM so get there early!

They’ve opened up a couple locations in the past couple years, but the Garden St. location is the OG and is located on a pretty street in downtown San Luis Obispo. At the Foothill St. location, you’ll find loads of parking and a slightly bigger set up in store. And if you go to Cal Poly, consider yourself lucky because they’re on campus now! (Although it’s probably for the best that they weren’t on campus when I was, because I would have been an even broker college student).

3. Sycamore Springs and Resort, Avila Beach

Nestled in the hills right before you hit Avila Beach, you’ll find Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Spa where you can escape and relax.

You can choose to stay at the resort if you’re spending a couple days in Avila, but for those who are just looking for an hour of relaxation, visit their hot springs.

Sycamore has 23 naturally heated hillside mineral spring tubs that you can reserve by the hour. You can unwind with a drink in the hot springs and enjoy the hills surrounding your secluded mineral spring tubs. Sycamore’s hot springs are open year round until midnight with the last reservation at 10:45 pm.

Friendly tip: Make a reservation beforehand.

4. Thursday Night Farmer’s Market, San Luis Obispo

Thursday night’s in San Luis Obispo are known for a farmer’s market that brings life to downtown SLO from 6-9 PM. Higuera Street (the main street downtown) is taken over with the smell of BBQ, fresh produce and the sounds of people dancing, cheering and enjoying the night.

With over 120 vendors at the Farmer’s Market, you don’t want to pass it up. Of course you’ll find the many booths of flowers and fresh produce from local farms as you walk along Higuera, but you’ll also find an incredible amount of food. From the tri tip and mini donuts to kettle and roasted corn, surely you will find something for dinner or to snack on as you walk through downtown.

Don’t miss a chance to experience a lively and fun stroll through San Luis Obispo’s popular Higuera Street on Thursday nights for Farmer’s.

5. Daou Vineyards, Paso Robles

Paso Robles is located about 30 min north of San Luis Obispo, and is home to a beautiful wine country that has over 200 tasting rooms. The wines are delightful (to say the least), and the drive to get to a majority of the wineries is stunning.

One winery in particular that has it all is Daou Family Estates. The winery is located located at the top of a hill, making for a beautiful wine tasting experience. You’ll find exceptional wines (step aside Napa Valley), stunning views and amazing service. What more could you want out of an experience? There’s also the food – they offer shared plates and pairing experiences as well. Make a reservation ahead of time and enjoy a beautiful afternoon sipping on delicious wine and enjoy the view.

6. Black Hill, Morro Bay

Enjoy the outdoors and hike Black Hill in Morro Bay. The hill is a 661-foot volcanic peak and is part of the Nine Sisters of San Luis. The Nine Sisters are a group of nine ancient volcanic mountains that extend in a line from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay.

Black Hill is a fairly easy and short hike at 0.6 miles round trip but you get a stunning view of Morro Bay and the surrounding coastline.

7. Goshi Sushi, San Luis Obispo

I’m very confident in saying this is the best sushi in San Luis Obispo, and along the greater central coast. And I almost didn’t want to share this because I wanted to keep it a little secret, but here we go.

Goshi Sushi is the place for sushi. Hands down. The fish is fresh, the sushi bar is fun and everything else is lovely. It’s located in downtown San Luis Obispo but hidden in a little area that’s been redone recently (and is charming) called The Creamery Marketplace. So get some sushi, and head over to Nite Creamery after for some ice cream made more exciting by liquid nitrogen.

8. Montaña de Oro State Park, Los Osos

For a beautiful hike or walk, visit Montaña de Oro in Los Osos. You’ll find the gorgeous Pacific Ocean as you walk through the trails, as well as beaches, canyons and cliffs. It’s a beautiful place to talk a walk and take in some fresh coastal air.

Any other favorite places along the central coast in California? Let me know in the comments!

Unfortunately the below two places closed over the past couple of years but keeping these in as a note!

1. The Station, San Luis Obispo

An old gas station transformed into a wine shop, market and event space. That’s what The Station is.

You’ll find carefully curated wines from across the globe that aren’t readily available anywhere else. Peruse the shelves, buy a bottle or have a glass of wine they’re pouring and take it into their open space to enjoy.

The Station also has a variety of great gifts from Stumptown Coffee and small-batch bitters and shrubs, to other specialty goods.

This spot also hosts its own events (such as an art bar, blind tastings and seminars) and has local food trucks swing by during the week (currently The Grilled Cheese Incident and Granada’s Raw Bar that has a rotating menu of oysters on the half shell).

So visit The Station and grab a glass or a bottle (because wine not) of wine you won’t find anywhere else in SLO.

2. Centrally Grown, Cambria

Secluded along Highway 1 right across the Pacific Ocean is a place where you can enjoy lunch and dinner, take a free yoga class, have some drinks, and shop around the market. Centrally Grown is a unique happy place where you can take in all the Central Coast has to offer.

The restaurant is upstairs and overlooks the ocean, giving you a beautiful view as you enjoy a meal that features fresh and contrasting flavors that blend beautifully together. The vibe is comfortable and cozy yet fun and vibrant.

The Centrally Grown grounds also feature edible gardens and ocean view patios for you to relax in. There’s plenty of seating throughout the grounds so you can grab a couple glasses of wine from the market and enjoy lunch or a snack outdoors.

Leila2022-12-27T15:52:24-08:00December 22nd, 2021|Categories: Food, Travel|Tags: california, central coast, Travel|0 Comments