Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He's also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
Car rentals on the Island of Maui can get quite expensive. Here is a quick guide on how you would be able to save while booking a car rental in Maui (Hawaii).
Simply go on either travel website and enter your travel dates, and they will provide you with quotes from multiple car rental agencies.
Autoslash offered me the best rates in Hawaii as I was the only driver but if you have additional drivers while renting then Costco Travel sometimes might have better deals especially if you are looking to opt for high end cars.
If you don’t have Costco Membership then my recommendation would be to just go with Autoslash straightaway as that is my preferred way of booking car rentals in the United States and Canada.
How To Get To The Car Rental From The Airport?
Maui International Airport has a tram service that leaves from the airport towards the car rental lot. Once you leave the terminal you would just need to cross the road, and go to the stop for the car rental tram service. You can carry all your luggage with you on the tram.
All of the major car rental companies have their rental cars parked there –
Alamo
Hertz
Avis
National
Budget
Payless
SixT
Dollar
Enterprise
Thrifty
There might be a long wait at the car rental offices during peak season.
Check Your Rental Car Before You Leave
It is recommended to check your car for scratches, or any other damage before you leave. You can take pictures of the condition of the car as well before you leave.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
Taking an Uber or Cab in Seattle can be shockingly expensive. Prices this year itself for Uber have gone up in Seattle by 40% so when I tried to see how much it would cost me to go from the Seattle-Tacoma international airport to Seattle downtown, I was surprised that it was going to be costing me more than 50 bucks for one-way!
So I started looking for options and turns out that Seattle has some transit options available that can make it cheap and easy for you to get to downtown –
You will need to leave the airport and walk to the SeaTac/Airport Station. It’s going to be a 5-10 minute walk from the platform to the station.
Once you get to the station you will need to purchase a ticket (or online). For me I chose University Street as the destination and then walk around from there. It cost me less than 10 bucks per person for a round-trip ticket!
You would need to take the Northgate link to go downtown. If you are not sure where the rail is headed, just ask other commuters.
Bus Service – Buses leave from the airport platform itself and will be able to take you either to the downtown area or one of the transit centers from where you will need to make a change. You can use the Google Maps app to see which option works best for you. Bus service in Seattle is going to cost you less than 10 bucks as well.
How To Go Around Within Downtown?
While you can always walk around in the city, it can be quite time consuming. I found that there are plenty of electric scooters or bikes available that you can rent on a time basis. You will see the scooters all around in the downtown area and to use them you will need to install the app on your phone and provide your personal/payment details. The most popular apps are Lime and Uber.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
While Maui may not claim the spotlight for the ultimate drinks experience among the islands, there are a few places that are definitely worth the visit –
Nalu’s Restaurant Maui
Address: 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, United States Business website: https://naluskihei.com/
If you are looking for the best Mai Tai on the island then you must head to Nalu’s South Shore Grill. The restaurant has a nice décor as well as atmosphere, and they often do live music and entertainment. Also the restaurant is dog friendly.
Some of their popular food menu items are: Loco Moco, Poke Bowl of the Day, Island Pancakes, Acai Bowl, Chicken and Waffles, and Corn flake Crusted French Toast.
Hawaiian cuisine
Live music
Upscale casual dining
Pet friendly
Monkeypod Kitchen
Address: 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy Bldg I-1, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States Business website: https://monkeypodkitchen.com/
Located in Whalers village, the Monkeypod is a really large bar. The bar is most popular for it’s Mai Tai which was nice and strong though I wouldn’t say the best I have had. The atmosphere is great at this place, and once you are done, you can always check out the shops nearby or head to another bar.
Monkeypod does get quite busy so there might be a bit of wait before you get a table. If you are visiting this bar then make sure to get credit for your parking.
Milagros is a Mexican restaurant and has a variety of tropical cocktails that they offer. I went with a coconut based cocktail called Coco-Rita which is tequila blended with lime and coconut cream, a potent drink and tasted similar to pina colada with coconut in it. Other popular drinks at the restaurant include – Mermaid water and Cadillac margarita.
Casual dining restaurant
Large patio
Mexican cuisine
Ester’s Fair Prospect
Address: 2050 Main St STE 1B, Wailuku, HI 96793, United States Business website: https://www.estersmaui.com/
Ester’s Fair Prospect according to me was the most elegant cocktails bar I found in Maui. Whether you are on a date or with a small group of friends, this would be a good spot to go. It has a really nice and cozy atmosphere. Their drinks are great as well!
Pet friendly
Upscale casual bar
Elegant
Limited food options
Other places to consider for drinks –
Maui Brewing Company (Address: 605 Lipoa Pkwy, Kihei, HI 96753, United States) If you are looking to try some craft beers then why not visit Hawaii’s largest brewery! They also have island inspired dining options. This place is massive and I think one of the large drinking spots on the island.
Tante’s Fishmarket RestoBar (Address: 300 Maalaea Rd Upper Level Maalaea, Wailuku, HI 96793, United States) If you are looking for a happy hour place then it might be worth going here. Drinks were relatively cheap compared to other places I went. There are a bunch of shopping places and attractions nearby the place so it might be worth visiting for convenience.
Haleakava Bar (Address: 1794 S Kihei Rd Suite 20, Kihei, HI 96753, United States) Offers non-alcoholic but kava based drinks. This would be a nice place for a relaxed hangout and if you enjoy local live music.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
Even though I love Hotpot, I usually avoid going to hotpot restaurants in Ottawa as they are quite expensive. But recently I came across a similar concept restaurant called Soup Fairy Malatang in the Byward Market whose prices appeared to be relatively affordable so I decided to give it a try.
How to experience Malatang?
All of their ingredients are displayed on the shelf.
You get a bowl to decide what ingredients you want.
You decide what type of soup base you want it to be cooked with.
Create your own custom dipping sauce!
The chef is going to cook your meal for you with the ingredients you picked!
Enjoy your meal
What ingredients should I pick?
Since the restaurant charges you by the weight of the ingredients, I would recommend that you go mainly for meat/seafood and less veggies. Pick some meat items that you enjoy and some items that you have never tried before. Go with a bit of noodles as well.
You are charged per 100 grams of ingredients, and you can always ask the person working their to weight your bowl. For most people 200-300g of ingredients should be more than sufficient.
What Sauce Combination Should I Go For?
Here are some dipping sauce combinations that you can go for –
Peanut Butter and Sesame, Black Vinegar, Green Onions, Garlic sauce
Coriander, Peanut Butter and Sesame, Chili Oil, Green Onions
Black Vinegar, Peanut Butter with Sesame, Garlic Sauce, Chili Oil
Garlic Sauce, Peanut Butter and Sesame, Green Onions, Chili Oil
If you like less spicy, go for less chili oil for your dipping sauce.
How Should I Eat My Meal?
The preferred way to have Malatang is to take the ingredients out of the soup and dip them in the dipping sauce before eating. However, you can always pour the dipping sauce in your meal and enjoy it that way as well.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
It can get a bit confusing at first how to apply for an Indian e-visa so I created this quick guide that will help you with each step of your application process.
What Are The Requirements For Indian E-Visa?
Your nationality must be on the list of eligible countries for an e-visa. Nationals of Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and the United States are all eligible for e-visa.
Also you would need to upload the following documents –
Digital copy of recent colored photo – (2in x 2in)
Digital copy of Passport
Where To Find Indian E-Visa Application?
Even though many websites or companies online might be offering electronic visa services, the official portal to apply is the Indian Visa Online portal.
Did you acquire nationality by birth or naturalization?
For the passport details, the following information is required –
Passport Number
Place of Issue
Date of Issue
Date of Expiry
If you hold additional nationalities
Once you submit, you will be able to upload the passport/photo and complete your application by making the payment.
What eTourist visa duration should I go for?
It is recommended to go for 1 year duration if your plans are tentative, however if your flight is already scheduled for a short trip then you might just select 30 days period. If you select 30 days then you must apply for your visa a few days before your trip begins.
Please note that the visa validity period is 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
How Long Does It Take For E-Visa To Get Approved?
For most applicants, it would take about 1-2 days for the e-visa to be granted.
Before Your Arrival To India
Here are some things to check before your arrival
Make sure that your visa status is showing as ‘GRANTED’ before your flight.
If your country is on the list of yellow fever affected countries then you would required to provide proof of vaccination on arrival.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
Something you should must do if you are in Pigeon Forge is attend atleast one of their Dinner attractions. Yes, they are a bit pricey than the usual restaurant but I think they are absolutely worth it.
Before you head to one remember –
Make sure to book in advance! Venues sometimes have limited tickets!
All shows are family friendly.
Vegetarian and Gluten-Free food options are available on request.
Coupons can give you a couple bucks off your tickets!
Guests might be asked to participate in some events.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Address: 2713 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States Business website: https://piratesvoyage.com/
As the name suggests, the Pirates Voyage is a live action show that features acrobatics, special effects and a story centered around rival pirate crews. The show happens in a massive indoor pool that has been transformed into a ship battleground.
The food menu typically includes chicken, pork, corn with a side of soup and biscuit.
I would recommend to have a visit at the Pirates gift shop before your dinner show especially if you have kids and you might find some interesting pirate costume wear or other stuff for them to have a fully immersive experience while they watch the dinner show.
The Lumberjack Feud show involves competition between rival lumberjack families who participate in different challenges such as axe throwing, pole climbing, sawing and more! The show includes a southern style meal.
If you are sensitive to sound then I would recommend ear protection as the saws make a lot of noise and it can be quite loud for some people (especially babies).
Something that differentiates Paula Deen’s Dinner Show from the other dinner show venues is that they have an amusement park that kids and adults both would enjoy. The Paula Deen’s Adventure Park features areas where you can zipline, climb, and play. Some of the areas might be age restricted (5+ years).
Features amusement park – with rope course, freefall towers, zipline.
Ticket for amusement park is separate.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Address: 3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States Business website: https://dpstampede.com/
The Dolly Parton’s Stampede is a Western themed show and involves performers riding on horsebacks, performing tricks and involved in a variety of competitions. The show also involves live animals including buffalos, chickens and pigs! Kids might be asked to participate in some of the challenges.
If you like a good comedy show then I think you should go for the Hatfield and Mccoy’s Dinner show. This dinner show involves feud between the Hatfield and Mccoy’s families and has a comedic approach to it where performers do a variety of stunts, perform live music to keep the audience entertained.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
There are plenty of Korean restaurants in Ottawa but which one should you go for? I ended up trying a bunch of Korean restaurants in the region and have listed what I think are the best and must-visit Korean restaurants in the city!
This was my first restaurant in Ottawa that I was just absolutely wowed by, Kitchen Maroo is a Korean Fusion restaurant and they do an amazingly good job bringing the Korean heat in their food. I had their Seafood Noodles with Mussels; Shrimp which were hot and spicy; and absolutely delicious. For the quality and portions that you get for your food, the price is very reasonable.
Table SODAM does a really great job with their presentation; quality and taste. Ideal for dates or special family occasions. Their portion sizes are generous with lots of meat and side dishes were great as well. Note that this restaurant is quite small so you might need to wait sometimes but is worth it!
Daldongnae offers the perfect Table BBQ experience enjoy sizzling, succulent meats grilled to perfection right at your table. I went with their lunch special and was served with a not only just a combination of marinated squid and pork, but my order also come with multiple side dishes including seaweed, cucumber, acorn jelly, bean sprouts, pumpkin salad, soup and more. I like the variety of flavors from the dishes and it seemed like a decent quantity of food for my order.
My order of Bulgogi at Alirang was just perfect. The food came sizzling hot and was sizzling for a few minutes afterwards. The beef was well seasoned without being spicy and was absolutely delicious. I didn’t realize they had parking but there is ample of street parking around the area. They do have another location in Nepean as well.
Reservation is recommended as the Korean House Restaurant gets quite busy. Whenever I have walked into this restaurant, I have seen it at full capacity. Ordered my dishes and even though it was full, the dishes came in without waiting too long. I liked that they had some sides coming in while I was waiting at the table like miso soup, kimchi and more. The food is delicious and portions are decent.
Korean restaurant
Reservation recommended
Offers Table BBQ experience
Other Good Korean restaurants in Ottawa worth visiting –
Kochu (Address: 266 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R5) This small restaurant serves not only Korean cuisine but also Korean inspired sushi rolls. Even though the place is quite small, the interior looks nice and they even serve drinks. Ideal for dates or small group hangouts. I did enjoy my order of Korean Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken from this place.
Maht (Address: 726 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6P8) Tried out their Spicy Korean Fried Chicken which was very good but was missing the wow factor. Even their small plate contained around 12 pieces of chicken which would be enough for 2 people. One thing I really liked about this place is that each order comes with a free side of kimchi and some other good korean stuff to try out while you wait for your order.
In’s Kitchen (Address: 1-65 Templeton St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7P7) I really liked their presentation but I think the taste was good but not the best. Since it’s located close to UOttawa, it can be a good hangout spot to have lunch at. Parking can be a little tricky as well so you might need to drive around looking for street parking.
Food Mood (Address: 178B Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5X6) Located close to the Byward market area, this restaurant is takeout oriented and has limited seating. Their braised pork belly is just so delicious and I would highly recommend that you try it out. They also serve Korean sushi if you are looking to try something different.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
Datsun is an Asian Fusion restaurant located on Elgin Street, just beside another restaurant called El Camino that serves great tacos. The restaurant has a really nice ambience so if you are looking for date night, having a party with your friends this might be a good spot to start at.
Some notes following my visit to Datsun –
Come a bit early as you might have to wait a bit for your group. There are a number of pubs located nearby where you could go, have a drink and come back when your table is ready. I recommend Manx Pub which has reasonably priced drinks.
I felt that the portion sizes for most of their mains were small so I recommend that you get an appetizer as well along with your order.
Usually people prefer to get multiple plates and share the dishes with one-another at this restaurant. This way you can try out different things.
Some of the items are mildly-spiced so it would be a good idea to let the server know how much spice you prefer before you order anything.
Here are some of their best menu items that I recommend!
Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork
Datsun’s Dan Dan Noodles come with minced pork, scallions, and red chili. I must warn you that these noodles are mildly spicy. While my plate was aesthetically pleasing and the meal was delicious, I felt the portions were small and there was only a little bit of meat. I have had Dan Dan Noodles at the 98lala Noodles restaurant in Ottawa, and I found their portions to be comparatively massive.
Datsun Ramen
Datsun’s Ramen is one of the most popular menu items at Datsun. The dish is served in Tonkatsu Broth and contains pork belly, garlic oil, egg and noodles. Even though the broth is not spicy at all, it was quite flavorful and had a salty/savory taste. I found the meal quite enjoyable.
Spicy Chicken Wings
You might think that these wings would be quite spicy but I felt that they were a mix of sweet and spicy sauce. The flavoring comes close to what I would call spicy BBQ wings. The wings are quite good, and they felt to me sweeter than spicy so you should reconsider if you were not planning to get them because they are called “Spicy Chicken Wings”. If you are looking for hot and spicy wings, my recommendation would be to try Chez Lucien instead.
Menu item that I won’t recommend –
Spicy Coconut Milk Laksa with white rice – The portion size of this one was huge but I don’t think I enjoyed Datsun’s Coconut Milk Laksa at all. To me something just felt off about about it when I had it though I couldn’t point it out.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
There is a lot to do on the Island of Maui besides water sports! Here is a list of things that you can do with your partner, friends or family on the Island of Maui!
Depending on the season, you might be able to engage yourself in strawberry picking or if you visit during autumn, you can get a chance to explore their pumpkin patch, where you can find the perfect pumpkin to carve/decorate with your family.
The Kula Country Farms also features has a farm stand from where you can get fresh locally produced goods, and besides that they also have a variety of plants, seeds, jams and other products. I tried out their chocolate honey which is something unique I have never seen before and it was quite delicious!
If you are visiting this place, I think you just go and ask for some feed for the goats and pet them! I am not sure if I would recommend their casual tour as for me it was quite boring but the milking tour might be more interesting. There is no entry fee for the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm.
The Dairy Farm also sells goat products like truffles, gift baskets and cheese which is something you might be interested in.
Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery
Address: 4051 Omaopio Rd, Kula, HI 96790, United States Business website: https://oceanvodka.com/
Since you are on Hawaii why not try some locally produced vodka? Ocean Organic Vodka offers a tasting experience of their organic vodka. You can get discount on your booking if you are a local, active military or are a senior citizen.
The Maui Butterfly Farm is the only walk-in butterfly house on Maui where you get to interact with colored butterflies and other insects like praying mantis. The Maui Butterfly Farm has guided farm tours for adults, children and infants (free).
I found it quite pricey but if you have never been to a butterfly farm before then it might be worth having the experience.
Magical Enchanted Forest
Address: Lahaina, HI 96761, United States
The Magical Enchanted Forest features a short but easy trail. It’s absolutely worth visiting this amazing forest that offers a unique experience. Street Parking might be a little tricky depending on what time you are headed there.
The Birdstand Maui
Address: Lahaina, HI 96761, USA, 658 Wharf St, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States
The Birdstand is a little setup located on Wharf Street for taking pictures with different types of Parrots. You can also ask questions regarding the birds as the handler is pretty knowledgeable.
Lahaina Banyan Court
Address: 671 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States
The Lahaina Banyan Court features the largest Banyan tree on the Island of Hawaii. Close to the trees is a courthouse which has been converted to a museum and features art gallery and has an interactive exhibit with videos/photos/historical objects. There are also a lot shops and restaurants located close to the area.
If you are looking to take some locally made gifts with you then have a visit at UI Gallery. The store has a variety of high quality products from local artists including glasses, pillows, tables, chairs, jewelry (including shell jewelry). Some of the art at the store can be quite expensive though but is definitely worth having a look!
The Fun Factory has multiple locations on the Maui Island and features a number of video games, air hockey tables, dance dance revolution, basketball arcade machines and more. The place is a bit pricey so make sure to have a budget and only go for select games.
Maui Ocean Center is the largest tropical reef aquarium and offers a number of experiences like shark dive, snorkeling, yoga, plant tours, naturalist presentations. They also have an Immersive 3D theater which I think made the visit worth it for me. So if you are headed there make sure to not miss the 3D show.
The Ocean Center also has a gift shop and I found the prices to be a bit better than most gift shops around the area.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.
Ottawa has a number of dance studios and bars where you can learn Latin Dancing. Not only do you get to learn and exercise while dancing but also it’s a great way to meet new people in the city!
Here are some places in Ottawa that offer Dance lessons –
Located conveniently in the Byward Market area, Ritmo Bailey is a good spot for dance lessons. While the place itself doesn’t serve any drinks, I like the fact that there are a number of bars and restaurants located nearby.
Variety of Latin dance lessons throughout the weekly.
Attracts a mixed demographic.
No alcohol or food served. (The water dispenser is there!)
University’s Salsa Club is one of the biggest dance groups in Ottawa and has events regularly on a weekly basis. The event is open to everyone and there is a small fee for attending the lessons and the socials.
UOSalsa club provides same-day lessons for both salsa and bachata.
There are lessons for beginners as well as experts.
The lessons can get quite busy however the socials are less crowded.
Mill Street Brewery has weekly salsa nights which include lessons followed by social. The Brewery is one of the few places where not only you can get food and drinks but they also have a decent amount of dance floor for the lessons.
Targeted more towards beginner-intermediate level folks.
While popularly known as a Dive Bar, Amigos has a large dance floor where they do weekly Latin Dancing lessons. The place does a beginner dance workshop before their socials and is relatively more affordable than other places that offer dance lessons.
10 minutes away from downtown Ottawa.
Lessons are usually on a Tuesday.
Attracts a mixed demographic.
Has pool tables, musical jukebox and slot machines.
Studio X is another Dance studio that offers a variety of Latin dancing lessons. While I found the dance lessons to be great, they are relatively more expensive than other places that I have been to.
Offers lessons on different types of Latin dancing.
Attracts more intermediate level folks.
Lessons can be quite pricey if you are paying at the door.
No alcohol or food is served at the venue.
Here are some tips before you head for your Latin dancing lessons! –
Make sure you are going to lessons at your level of comfort! If you are new to Latin Dancing, it is recommended that you go for beginner lessons to have a good foundation and only later try practicing advanced moves.
In Latin Dancing, people usually dance in pairs which involves a lead and a follower, with the lead usually expected to know the moves. It’s a bit easier to be a follower than to be a lead.
Do carry cash with you as some places might only be accepting cash as payment and charge you additional fees for paying with a credit card.
Check if the event is still happening! Sometimes the venue changes the dates or the type of lessons before the event takes place so check their Facebook or Instagram if they are still doing the lessons.
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.