November 01, 2018

9 Fall Break Ideas for NYC Families

November 01, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

Fall in New York City is a special time of year. The weather starts to chill – and sometimes gets downright cold. It also starts the busy holiday season. Now that Halloween is over, the big rush towards the holidays begins.

During a season full of hustle and bustle, I like finding the time to take a nice break. That’s why I love fall break trips! Whether your family plans to travel over the long Thanksgiving break or you can only squeeze in a weekend trip, fall break trips are a must! You need that time to put away the work stuff and the holiday planning to enjoy some quality time with the ones you love.

I’ve come up with a list of 9 fall break ideas for busy NYC families that cover lots of different budgets. Even better, most only require a tank of gas!

The Catskills, New York

If you want beautiful scenery, head to The Catskills. You will find plenty of places to take Insta-worthy shots, and your kids will be able to use up some of their energy on one of your family hikes.

Portland, Maine

Kids love Portland for its ferry boats rides, and parents love Portland for the ambiance of the bay. You can visit the lighthouse, explore the children’s museum, and eat loads of lobster.

Washington, DC

Many families hesitate to take their little ones to DC, but they really shouldn’t. DC is great for kids! In addition to tons of free national monuments to view, there are also several free museums. Dc also has a great food scene, so mom and dad will be happy, too.

Poconos, Pennsylvania

If you are looking for relaxation, a visit to the Poconos may be just what you need. From beautiful mountain scenery to beautiful lake views, the Poconos offer a quiet escape from the city.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a fun city to visit. In addition to the mass amounts of history you can learn on a tour of the city, you will also love the culture. Bostonians are proud, and you can feel it in the air. Plus, Boston has a lot of fun things for kids to enjoy such as the duck tours.

Hudson Valley, New York

If you plan a trip to Hudson Valley in the near future, you are likely to surrounded by all the breathtaking colors of fall. You will be able to capture beautiful family photographs as you explore the area and wander through the quaint villages.

The Adirondacks, New York

Looking for an early winter escape? Look no further than the Adirondacks. This is the ideal skiing location for winter getaways. Even better – the Adirondacks are home to several breweries and wineries.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Do I even have to sell you on this one? This whole town celebrates chocolate! The big appeal for families is clearly the HersheyPark, and why not? It’s a theme park that is focused on candy. What’s not to love?

Enjoy a Staycation!

Sometimes the best kinds of breaks are the ones that don’t take us anyway. Those of us who call NYC home can easily enjoy a staycation and still manage to visit places we have never been. Explore new parts of the city that appeal to your whole family or spend your vacation visiting all your favorite spots. The point is to rest.

What plans does your family have for fall break? Let me know in the comments!

October 25, 2018

Why You Should Take a Vacation Without Your Kids At Least Once a Year

October 25, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

I’m here today to give you permission to do something that might feel a little crazy. Moms, you need to take a vacation. And not just any vacation. You need to take a kid-free vacation at least once a year.

I’ve heard the excuses. You are too busy. It just isn’t possible to find childcare. You would feel guilty. Enough with the excuses! I’m not saying you have to go somewhere for an entire week or spend a ton of money. But hey, if you can pull that off, go right ahead and don’t feel guilty.

Your kids will survive without you for a couple of days. Plus, you will come back refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to do all the mom stuff without complaint. Think about it. Don’t you always feel a little bit better when you get some downtime? Now just imagine if that downtime was more than fifteen minutes of privacy in your bathroom. You’d be the best mom ever!

Now that we’ve got the whole guilt issue out of the way, let’s talk about all the reasons you should take a vacation without your kids.

To Remember Who You Are

Being a mom is the best job in the world. But, once upon a time, you were more than “just mom.” Do you remember that lady? While being a mom is going to be your main priority when you are with your kids, something magical happens when you step out of that role for a couple of days. The women you were slowly starts to reemerge!

To Reconnect with Others

For those of you who are married with kids, you no doubt understand the importance of having alone time with your spouse. It is so important to spend time with your spouse without kids to reconnect. While date nights are wonderful, you should also try to sneak away together for a weekend. After 14 years together, I appreciate time away with my man even more.

Along these same lines, if there is any way possible you can pull off taking a girls trip each year – do it! Getting away with your girlfriends kid-free is good for the soul – and even better for your sanity. Like they say, sometimes talking with our girlfriends is all the therapy we need.

To Have Some Real Rest

Even though my girls are well past the stage of waking up throughout the night, I still feel like I don’t get as much sleep as I would like. It’s probably because like most moms, my senses are always on alert when my girls are nearby. But, when I travel without my kids, my brain gets a little break, and I can rest easy.

To Have Someone Take Care of You for a Change

Moms are always taking care of others and putting someone else’s needs above their own. I cook, I clean, I work, I tuck my babies in each night, and on and on. It is so nice to stay at a luxury hotel where I don’t have to lift a finger unless I want to. Room service? Maid service? Turn down service? Yes, please!

You Deserve It!

Being a mom is a tiring, demanding job. You deserve a break! While working moms get vacation days and sick days, your mom job does not come with those off days. That’s why it is so important for you to create those days yourself without feeling guilty about it. We all need time to ourselves to refresh. Without a vacation, employees know their workers will burn out and lose productivity. The same thing goes for parents. Invest in yourself and avoid mom burn out.

Remember, Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Your kids are not going to forget about you while you are away. Instead, it is likely they will miss you and be overjoyed when you are reunited. And, you know what? You will appreciate all their little idiosyncrasies even more.

August 31, 2018

A Nickelodeon All-Inclusive Luxury Vacation Perfect for Kids and Their Parents

August 31, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

My family recently had the opportunity to vacation at the Nick Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Punta Cana, itself, is a beautiful beach destination. When I learned that there is now a Nickelodeon-themed all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, I knew it was a perfect vacation destination for my family. And, I wasn’t wrong.

You may hear the words “Nickelodeon” and “all-inclusive” and think you’ve heard incorrectly. You didn’t. The combination of Nickelodeon fun and all-inclusive go together better than you can dream. I’m here today to tell you all the ways Nickelodeon has discovered the secret to family vacations.

The Resort Itself

Since the Nick Resort is family-friendly and Nickelodeon-themed, you will instantly be taken back to childhood with its playful accommodations. It has all the standards of regular all-inclusive resorts, but the colors are brighter, the decorations are sillier, and the activities are wilder. For instance, the high rollers can stay in a replica of Spongebob’s pineapple under the sea.

Now, keep in mind, the resort is designed for luxury travelers. In other words, while the décor may bring out the kid in you that does not mean you will not receive the finest accommodations. The rooms are lovely, and the resort has everything you could possibly need to make you comfortable. Plus, it is located on the white sandy beach of Punta Cana offer endless scenic views. We loved having the combination of playfulness and luxury in the same setting – it was perfect for our family.

Yummy Food and Delicious Drinks

My family loves all-inclusive vacations because all the food and drinks are included. At Nick Resort, the all-inclusive dining options were fantastic. There were plenty of kid-friendly options for my girls, but the resort also had gourmet restaurants that kept our adult bellies happy. They even have an adult-only restaurant!

We also loved all the free drinks. As soon as we arrived, our girls were treated to a slime smoothie while my husband and I were given a glass of sparkling champagne. Yes, please. The all-inclusive food and alcohol options were a major plus for parents. After a busy day at the beach and the pool, it was wonderful to know we could enjoy fine dining and a glass (or two) of wine each evening.

Play Like a Nick Kid

We spent most of our time at Aqua Nick. Aqua Nick is a huge waterpark with water slides, splash pads, spray grounds, and a lazy river. Our girls had the time of their lives! They splashed and played for hours. Plus, the pool area had the cutest little sun loungers just for kids.

My girls also loved seeing their favorite Nickelodeon characters in real life. Seeing Dora and the dogs from Paw Patrol at the resort was enough to leave smiles on their faces all day long. But, what really gave them the giggles was seeing people get slimed. Do you remember Nickelodeon slimings? The Nick Resort does mass slimings every day at Aqua Nick.

Act Like an Adult

While the Nick Resort certainly caters to kids, it does not stop with them. Adults are treated like esteemed guests as well. In addition to the adult-only restaurant and adult beverages, they also offer the Just Kidding Kids Club. The all-inclusive kids club includes supervised daily activities for kids 4-12 years old. This means you can drop your kids off to have some fun while you sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful views – or head to the gorgeous Vassa Spa or scenic infinity pool.

My family loved our vacation to the Nick Resort in the Dominican Republic. Nick Resort has learned the secret of combining family fun and luxury.

May 29, 2018

Shopping online @ Zappos x Munro shoes

May 29, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

In collaboration with Zappos and Munro shoes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am on my feet literally all day because I work in the fashion industry and it requires me run/walk around all the time. When I’m not working, I’m still running/walking and even chasing my kids around all the time. It is essential that I wear shoes that are made for comfort throughout the day. They also need to be stylish too so I can wear them on a casual walk with my girls but also be professional enough that I can wear it to work. That’s why Munro shoes are so important and advantageous for me. They strive on providing fashionable shoes that are considered ‘all day fashion’ for women just like me. Shoes that are diverse and consistently comfortable all-day long. Munro’s history of three generations as a family-owned and operated company making top quality footwear is enough for them to understand what it is woman want to be fashionably fit and comfortable.

The shoe I like to put on for all occasions is the Munro Beth slide sandal. It’s a single strap stretch sandal on a 1 inch heel and a very soft comfortable leather footbed. It’s shock absorbent, flexible and the way it hugs the foot is very convenient putting on and taking off. I can slip it on to go out with my girls and leave it on if I need a comfortable option for a night out. At work, I love the Cuban heel and the sheep skin leather wrapped footbed that gives me the cushion I need to be on my feet all day.

Zappos is a great place for me to pick up the Munro Beth sandals. When it comes to shopping online, there are a few things I look for that will make my experience much better. One thing that’s important is making sure that the website has a large amount of styles and stock for me to look at. That way I don’t have to worry about not being able to find my size or not having access to the latest styles online. How much is the shipping and how fast will it ship/arrive? And most importantly, good customer service. That’s what’s great about Zappos – they provide all of these things and more. With world class customer service and a 365-day return policy (!!), it’s the that type of online shopping environment that I can trust. Also included is fast and free shipping on all items making it easier for me when I’m impatiently waiting for my item! Head over to Zappos and pick up a pair of these for yourselves!

May 15, 2018

Epcot, Magical Kingdom, and the Princess Makeover of a Lifetime!

May 15, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

EPCOT CENTER

We spent a day at Epcot Center going on some of the rides and doing a lot of walking around visiting the different countries that were represented. The girls had a mission - to find Belle and Mulan! When they did find them, they were able to get their autograph books signed by the strong princesses they've always looked up to! They also loved the Little Nemo ride that made them feel like they were all a part of living under the sea.

At night we saw the Epcot globe lit up purple and got together with our group to eat at Coral Reef Restaurant...what an adventure!! We got to eat in front of a HUGE fish tank where there was an ecosystem of aquatic life which the girls adored. We even had a diver stop by and join us for a bit inside the tank! Other than the incredible view we had from our dinner table, the food was delicious and it was just such a relaxing and much needed place to unwind after the tiring daytime.

To finish the day off with a cherry on top we saw an amazing performance of Reflections on Earth which was a big show and a grand fireworks extravaganza show full of beautiful colors that blew my girls away!

MAGIC KINGDOM

Our final day was at Magic Kingdom, probably my daughter's favorite park. We had an amazing breakfast at the Be Our Guest restaurant based on the movie Beauty and The Beast. We were served our breakfast in this beautiful ballroom that was designed to look just like the Be Our Guest scene from the movie. Even the waiters and waitresses were dressed accordingly in costumes!

My daughters finally got to meet after a lifetime of watching them on the TV screen and getting to talk with them in real life and taking pictures, holding hands with the characters really put a huge smile on their face. There are a lot of thing to do in this park and the girls had their first roller coaster at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! We went all together and as you can see my oldest in the front is holding on for dear life, while my youngest in the back has the biggest smile on her face (she’s more of a daredevil). When we got off the ride, the two of them both could not express how much they loved it. After, we went to the Disney Springs where it’s an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, good for both adults and kids to enjoy. We Had gone there for an early dinner trying the Chef’s Art Smith’s Homecomin’ where they had lovely options to eat. Soooo delicious!

Then we went for the girls favorite part.. the Bibbidi Boddidi Boutique to get princess makeovers!! The girls got to choose their favorite princess makeover (my eldest chose Belle and my little one picked Aurora). They were taken to to get the whole royal treatment as a true princess would get like having their hair, makeup, and nails done. Watching them was really such a delight to see their faces light up at the thought of transforming into real princesses. Though in my eyes they are forever my Princesses. After the whole makeover process they went for a beautiful photoshoot with these incredible backdrops that made them look like they were in their Disney film. And just like that, our trip ended with a Princess happy ending!

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April 30, 2018

DisneyWorld for the first time with a preschooler (and an older one)!

April 30, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

This is our first time to Disney World with my two daughters, one which is a preschooler and I learned quite a whole lot of things. Seeing their eyes go wide with amazement is true joy and exhilaration when they enter and see a real castle for the first time. It’s best to be organized and prepare for smooth sailing without any unnecessary mishaps that might make the trip any less enjoyable. There are some things that I found to be really helpful to keep in mind that I’d like to share:

Firstly, let’s start with some packing tips. THE most important thing to pack, I believe, is a single stroller, and if not, get it at the park because although they are full of energy, preschoolers tire out really fast in a place as big as Disney. There’s tons of walking around involved and unless you want to be carrying around your tired preschooler around all day when they get hot and tired, stroller is a necessity! Always pack 2-3 outfits per day, just in case the weather does not go according to forecast (which we all know happens now more often than ever before). Also, you never know if your preschooler might have some kind of accident or maybe make a mess in all the fun their having. There’s also lots of water splashing rides that maybe your child will want to stand by and get splashed, or even you and your entire family might unknowingly be in a splash zone (really… that happens).

Now if you're flying to Florida on a plane, sometimes toddlers need their afternoon nap and it’s best to find a flight sometime in the morning rather than in the middle of the day. I would say between 9am-10am is your best bet. You don’t want it to be too early because you have to get them up and also allow yourself enough time to make it to the airport without any rush, because let’s be honest, rush = stress = everybody is upset. Then it’ll work out perfectly that by the time you’re on the plane, your kids can distract themselves with something like a movie or the iPad and then eventually fall asleep. And the next thing you know, they’ve landed and you are trouble free for the duration of the flight plus they’ll be fresh and ready for the start to Disney World.

The flight on the way home we like to approach a little differently. I recommend finding flights in the later afternoon around 3pm-4pm, after their naptime. The reason I say this is that the timing will work out perfectly that when the flight arrives home, it’ll be just in time for dinner and then they’ll perfectly tire out from the flight (and the entire trip to say the least) just after, in time for bedtime. They’ll wake up back home the next morning, wide eyed and well rested, with most magical memories of Walt Disney World!!

We had the pleasure of staying at the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which has the largest pool of the Disney World Resorts. It is beautifully made with a Finding Nemo theme which was design for the kids to feel as if they were playing in the water as Nemo did with his friends. Though that was not the only theme there are also The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Cars, which is the suite where we stayed. There were Cars animations all over the walls and hallways, as well as Cars models scattered around for the girls to pose cute pictures with. Disney really know how to integrate a theme in to all parts of to make the kids feel like they’re in the movies. Might I add, for the parents, they had great service and were sure to have our stay be as easy and convenient for us as possible. They have two location at which you can eat where the service was impeccable. One of them was by the pool for the adults and the other one is a dining hall which serves a delicious assortments of hot foods, all including the choice of pizza which is the favorite food to both my daughters… and I’m sure that stands true for many kids!! We got to use these Disney Quick-Service Dine Cards which is a great option because these gift cards have more value that the price you pay for the card. You can using them at many dining locations around the park for your meals and snacks. It’s so quick and easy and rids you of the burden of carrying around any money with you!

It’s really unbelievable how Disney World makes each park seem as if your stepping out of reality into another world! Unlike any other park, the Animal Kingdom was so full of green and nature everywhere you look. I was happy to see my kids enjoy a jungle like, natured theme park so much. We had gone on a few rides as a family such as the Triceratops Spin which is a perfect ride for preschoolers and small children. My youngest is in love with dinosaurs so she was definitely ecstatic about that one. But the most extraordinary ride was the Navi River Journey, located in Disney’s new (Avatar movie’s) Pandora themed area.

My goodness, it’s really something that has to be experienced for yourself and that words themselves could not do it justice! The Navi River Journey is calm boat ride, which can be done as a family even will small children, which takes you through the world of Pandora. Even if you’ve never watched the movie Avatar, this is something you’re going to want to experience… and then will probably end up wanting to watch the movie afterwards. You’re sitting in this boat that flows down the “Navi River” through this science fiction, luminescent jungle of glow lights, immersing you in the theme of the earth and animal, shining a light (literally) on the feeling of being one with nature. Everything is this area is very grand and colorful creating a very realistic environment as if you were really living in the Avatar movie.

We also experienced the River of Light which was a night show with these beautiful fixtures in the water, using tons of colorful lights and beautiful dancers dressed in marvelous costume designs. The show included some extravagantly designed animals and water structures that synchronizes to the music. What a magical way to end the night!

As mother and parents, we are well aware of how tough it is to travel with young children. Especially somewhere such as Disney World where they have many resorts and parks in which car travel between the destinations are unavoidable. It’s always a concern of mine in the back of my mind that my girls won’t have car seats… We mothers just can’t help ourselves from worry for our most precious cargo! But boy does Disney know how to allow you to enjoy your stay as worry-free and comfortable as possible!

They have this service called the “Minnie” Van Service where they partnered with LYFT. Its an absolutely adorable van covered in Minnie Mouse polka-dots—which might I mention, our girls were freaking out about. It so incredibly convenient and most importantly cheap! It's an easy thing to do, just order it off the LYFT app on you phone - you can just easily choose the 'Minnie Van" car. For $25, the Minnie Van will pick you up from your resort and drive you to almost any of their parks and vice versa. I know you might now be thinking, “well I can just call my own car service and they would do the same” or “well I can just take the bus with my family instead.” But firstly, let’s be honest with ourselves and think for a second… if you are a mother you know the difficulties of what it means to ride a crowded bus with your strollers, all your bags, and two little children. The Minnie Van Service also provides two car seats for children and babies which was invaluable for us. As I mentioned earlier, the girls were freaking out about the Minnie Mouse theme of the cars… to them it almost counted as an amusement park ride on its own!

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we had breakfast at Disney Junior Play ‘N Dine where we were able to dine with the characters my daughters grew up watching on tv! Their favorite character is Sophia so for them to be able to wake up in the morning and first thing was to have breakfast with Sophia and friends was an absolute joy for them. Even though at times, our youngest was upset because she wanted to go to the pool everyday (irrational children problems… helloooo we still have all of Disney World to see!).

One of the best things that Disney built for families with young ones and babies are the Baby Care Centers in all the parks. These are air-conditioned lounges set up for families with infants or children who need assistance with feeding or changing or cleaning. They also have on-site shops where you can buy formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, or any emergency over the counter medications. This full service facility is definitely welcomed and shows Disney's true commitment to making helping families out along with providing all the fun in the world!

Later that day, we went to see “First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing Along Celebration”, which you already know they had the time of their lives… ‘cause what child doesn’t love Frozen! The girls were singing their heads off to “Let it Go” with the live characters. The show later even had really snow that came down which was impressive and made the girls feel like they were really in the movie with the characters as they’ve always wished to be.

Us moms got a presentation of the upcoming Toy Story Land that is coming to the park this summer in June! It’s be a world created based on the Pixar’s Toy Story films, making you feel like you have shrunk to the size of toys as Woody and Buzz and all the other toys had felt, bringing the character to life on scale that you could only imagine!

With all the excitement during the day we ended going back to relax for a bit before our next stop: EPCOT and Magic Kingdom!

This post is sponsored by Disney. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Inrachelshoes.

October 09, 2017

Amalfi Coast

October 09, 2017/ RACHEL CHOY

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. No matter how hectic life gets, my husband and I always try to squeeze in at least two vacations a year. I think it's healthy for marriage and every married couple should do it, even if it's just for a weekend. Not only do we get some alone time to enjoy ourselves (and get some sleep!), but I think it's also good for kids to learn a bit of independence. We decided to take a trip to Amalfi coast this year and these are some of our photos and tips we've learned.

Here are some tips how we plan our trip:

Air fares - google flight (put in the dates that you desire) save it and track the price, you will get notification when the price changes. I book hotels using booking.com (they will price match if you find anything cheaper also).

I suggest flying to Naples International Airport. From there you can get to Amalfi Coast in a couple of ways. We took the cab from the airport. That's the fastest (about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to Positano) and we were too exhausted from the flight to do any connecting boat/bus rides. The cost was 130 euros (but it's cheaper if you book a ride before going there online). You can also take the boat from Naples to Sorrento or Salerno then from Sorrento or Salerno to Positano (by bus or ferry)

Hotel recommendations:

We stayed at the Eden Roc Suites. Highly recommended: Great service and convenient location (10 minute walk down to the beach and bus stops are practically a few steps away). They also offer free breakfast and lots of their rooms are newly renovated with a breath taking view out of the balcony.

Le sireuse: Another amazing hotel that has an awesome view bar (always lines out the door around Sunset time!) They also have a Michelin Star restaurant for some fancy dining and unforgettable sunsets.

San Pietro Di Positano. Stunning resort with the only private beach in Positano! It's away from all the crowded areas and is located down by the water with easy access to their boats.

Restaurants to try:

I love to eat and I try to go to as many different restaurants as I can. Every restaurant we went to was amazing and highly recommended!

Chez black (lunch or dinner) - this is the 'must eat' restaurant in Positano. It's the people watching/celebrity spotting restaurant that's right by the beach. The food was amzing, the atmosphere was lively and everybody was having a really good time. The Spaghetti with Sea Urchin was delicious and came in it's own Sea Urchin bowl!

Da Adolfo (lunch only) - the 'IMPOSSIBLE TO GET RESERVATION' restaurant is worth all the hype with delicious dishes such as the octopus appetizers and grilled whole fish. There's a boat that takes people from the beach to their restaurant in another destination only if you score a reservation.

Mammà in Capri (lunch or dinner) Michelin star restaurant with delicious raw seafood and beautiful plating! Their view of Capri is breathtaking and if you get a chance try to watch the sunset there.

Ristorante da Costantino Request a table by the window and order their house wine, you won't be disappointed! Their whole fish was delicious and they were not very expensive for very authentic Italian. They're located a little far away but they have pick up and drop off service. We learned the hard way by walking there (45 minute of walking up lots and lots of stairs!) but it was definitely a memorable walk and it's the best way to get the sweeping views of Positano!

One great thing about Amalfi coast is how easy it is to travel from one part to another. You can easily take ferry (or private boat) rides between Amalfi, Capri, Ravello, Positano, Sorrento, and Salerno. Prices range from $12-$15 euro for a one way trip and you get to see the beautiful coast of Amalfi from the water. We were able to visit Capri and Amalfi in the short time we were on vacation!

April 17, 2017

Bermuda family trip!

April 17, 2017/ RACHEL CHOY

I had the pleasure of visiting Bermuda for the first time with the family and it was a wonderful experience. Stayed at the Fairmont Southampton for a few days and everybody was very friendly and accommodating. The weather was the same as NYC so let that be a fair warning to anybody who wants to travel to Bermuda in the winter - it can get cold there!

Most of the time we ate at the resort (we loved Jasmine Lounge because kids under 5 eat for free!) but we did go out twice and ate at Lobster Pot (great appetizers...get the Escargot!) and Barracuda Grill in Hamilton. Both served delicious seafood locally and the kids loved the pasta. We were lucky to have Horseshoe Bay Beach practically in our backyard and the kids loved playing in the beautiful serene beach!

January 19, 2017

Hong Kong... food and sights!

January 19, 2017/ RACHEL CHOY

I used to go to Hong Kong once a year but after being a mom of two, the chance to travel to one of my favorite places just became extremely difficult. But through some sheer miracle I got the chance to visit Hong Kong (for 2 whole days!) So all I got to do was eat and eat and eat. And try to visit the Big Buddha which I never got to do in previous trips. Hard to believe but it looks like Hong Kong is becoming even more modern than I last remembered. But more importantly, the food is always the best thing. I got to eat at Mott 32, The Chairman, Lung King Heen, Tsim Chai Kee, and 忠記粥品 (only congee that was open in the morning!). There's about a million other restaurants I would've loved to eat at...but that'll wait till next time!

December 12, 2016

Up, up, and away in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

December 12, 2016/ RACHEL CHOY

I traveled to Chiang Mai to experience a city that is unlike the busy streets of Bangkok. Set in Northern Thailand, this city feels more relaxed and even though 1.6 million people live here it doesn't really feel it. However, part of that peace and quiet came from the fact that we stayed at the beautiful Four Seasons Chiang Mai in 502 Moo 1, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road. We stayed at the pool villa where we could've just hung out there the whole time. But the rest of the resort was just so amazing, which includes it's own public infinity pool looking out to the lush greens of the resort. We wanted to get a higher look of Chiang Mai and went on a hot air balloon from Balloon Adventures Thailand. It was an incredible (albeit cloudy) view of what Chiang Mai looks like. Chiang Mai's 'famous' noodle is the Khao Soi and eating that intense bowl of crispy noodles in curry broth really makes me feel I am far from home. You can have that noodle dish practically everywhere so you do not have to worry about where to get it. Was Chiang Mai worth the 20 hour flight (stop-over in HK, of course!) to get to? Most definitely. It gave us the time for us to just relax away from the hectic life of living in New York City. Can't wait to return!

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