Showing all Fitness Blogs for Hong Kong

It goes without saying that renting in Hong Kong is a jungle. From cramped spaces to extortionate monthly rents, it can seem that the entire market is against you at times. However, armed with some key renting tips, you might be able to smooth out the whole process. 

Narrow down your renting options

Many renters often ‘carpet bomb’ when searching for their home, meaning they look at literally every option available to them. This can mean they wind up commuting more than necessary, living in an unsafe area or on the other hand, living in the most expensive part of town. Before viewing any apartments, it is logical to narrow down the areas that you are happy to live in. This should work like a shortlist. Firstly, list all the areas you are interested in. Then, from these elect your top five (or less, depending on how many zones you have included). Then, your top three or top two. It is always worthwhile adding a couple of pros and cons to each neighbourhood you have listed to keep in mind. Of course, living on Hong Kong Island means that your rent will be astronomical, whereas Kowloon is noticeably cheaper. Whereas it can be said that there is no such thing as an ‘unsafe’ part of Hong Kong, some areas are certainly nicer than others. Whilst parts of Kowloon may come under fire for being crowded and dirty, there are other zones which offer a lot to expats and can save on rent. So, do your research and take some time to check out the different neighbourhoods yourself, rather relying solely on recommendations from others. 

The rental contract

Here is where matters can become much more complicated. It is advisable to hire a lawyer or property expert for this part of the rental process. Laws and agreements that may exist in your own country to protect the renter and the landlord may be somewhat different here. Resting on your laurels and presuming facts before verifying them can be costly. Go over the deposit first, making sure you understand exactly what it covers, and how much it can amount to. It is also essential to make sure the contract has a clause that entitles you to receive the deposit back in full under certain conditions. If certain repairs, bills or wear and tear are included in deductions from your deposit, you must stipulate exactly what these are at the time of signing. Also, take a close look at any penalties for breaking the contract, for both parties. This may mean that if you leave the lease early, you are responsible for finding a replacement tenant. On the other hand, your landlord may be liable if they break the contract in any way. As rental leases in Hong Kong usually run for two years, there is often a ‘grace period’ whereby you can break the contract within the first year, with up to three months´ written notice. Make detailed notes on your responsibility as a tenant. Ensure that the contract clearly states who is responsible for repairs and what kind of repairs are covered. If the lease is obligated to pay the utility bills, this should also be included in the contract. It also goes without saying that you should receive an inventory at the time of moving in and a hand-over receipt, which will specify the general condition of the flat and if any repairs have been done.

Saving yourself some money when renting

While the amounts that you may have to pay out look staggering, there are ways in which you can save some money. With some consumer know-how and some renting savvy, you can cut out a lot of unnecessary expense. For example, look at what are known locally as ‘Tong Lau’s’, these are older buildings, rather than the brand new, sparkling housing estates that many renters automatically head for. Many of these have been renovated within recent years to attract expats who are priced out of the housing market in Hong Kong. Of course, it would be wise to check that the renovations have been completed before moving in as there is nothing worse than waking up to construction work early in the morning. The advantage of an older building is that generally, they are more affordable and are often bigger. With modernisation, many offer the same amenities as newer flats without the hefty price tag. When budgeting, make sure that your finances are realistic. If renting in central areas will stretch your finances but limit your commute, ask yourself which will matter most to your overall standard of living. Bear in mind that the closer to a subway line you live, generally the more expensive it will be, especially if these are newer lines. Many cheaper areas in Hong Kong have shot up in price, thanks to the improvements to public transport. Most importantly, really dedicate time to investigating the area. What may seem like an up and coming neighbourhood may be terribly noisy at night or have little to offer in the way of relaxed entertainment. 

Macau has long been criticised as being the Las Vegas of the East, tacky and more than a little seedy. However, its proximity to Hong Kong means that it should not be discarded as a day trip or mini break option. Let’s take a closer look at what there is to do in the Eastern City of Sin.

 

Senado Square

Aside from the glitz of casinos, Senado Square is where both locals and tourists gather. This is where many argue the more genuine side of Macau lies. The shops are geared to tourists, but try to retain some of the island’s culture. There are also countless places to try street food, and the cafes that have stood in the same site for many years are the perfect place to start the day. After having breakfast here, you can walk off the haze of the morning by shopping or merely people watching. The streets around Senado Square are a little crowded at times, and often confusingly maze-like, but it is worth making the time to get a little lost.

 

The Ruins of St. Paul

Right in Senado Square is Macau’s most famous historical site. The stairs leading up from the square are full of tourists and but provide quite a unique view. It might be a little frustrating to dodge the tourists, but try to take it in your stride and enjoy a slice of local history. Mount Fortress can also be accessed easily from here if you want to learn a little more about Macau’s past. The battlements have lots of military artefacts and offers a bird’s eye view over the centre of the city. It is quite easy to forget the colonial past of Macau when confronted with modern casinos and a pulsing nightlife, but it is there and it can be enlightening. 

 

Moving to China or taking up a new job in Asia could be an expat’s dream. With attractive packages to work in established companies, a booming economy and a fascinating culture, China has much to offer  those seeking a new life abroad. Once there, it can be easy to fall into a trap of comfort and security within the expat bubble, not knowing that you may inadvertently be causing problems for yourself.
With a culture that can be entirely opposite to your own, watch out for these mistakes that could sour your introduction into your new exciting life in a rich and vibrant country.

Miscommunication in China

Employing some common sense in China goes a long way, but you need to keep in mind that certain topics are off limits. Topics that we normally discuss with ease at home with our family and friends, and work colleagues, can be entirely taboo in China. You must tread carefully around politics, especially considering the fragile global political climate of today. Discussions around money and wealth are also best avoided- naturally during business negotiations this will be necessary, but don't brag or demonstrate your personal wealth or financial acheivements.
One of the most notable is the tricky, volatile, and extremely controversial relationship between China and Japan, under no circumstances must you compare China with Japan as this can cause deep offence to your Chinese colleagues, and is simply insensitive and, well basically, rude. The same goes for Chinese historical or political matters; this can be a treacherous subject and is better left out of a conversation.
Another less obvious taboo is the issue of death; Chinese culture is extremely superstitious, and death is something that is not discussed openly; and the colour white is associated with death, much like black signifies mourning and death in other countries, so avoid presenting your Chinese friends with gifts in the colour white. 

The giving of gifts

Gifts themselves often present challenges to expats in China. Whilst we are accustomed to giving gifts at birthdays and Christmas, in China offering gifts can be successful in breaking the ice and building interpersonal relations. If you are invited to stay with a Chinese family, it is entirely appropriate to offer a gift. Travelling for business may also mean that you might want to offer a gift to your co-workers when you arrive. These presents may be refused at first, due to the desire to show humility and avoid the appearance of greed. However, it is equally ill mannered to refuse a gift, so continue to offer and it will be accepted. It is commonly accepted that you should avoid offering flowers to your Chinese hosts. Many types of flowers are believed to bring bad luck, and certain colours should also be avoided, depending on the region. The same goes for numbers and you should avoid the number four at all costs. This is also associated with death, as the Chinese word for ‘four’ sounds like the same word for death. On the other hand, eight is extremely lucky.
 

Paying in China

Paying is also a complicated area to navigate in China. To begin with, if you are invited to lunch or dinner, it is expected that the eldest or most senior of the group is the host and will pay for those invited. Bills are not normally shared, and it is a grave offence to offer to pay for your share of the bill. The exception to this is if you have invited your guests, whereby the same rules will apply. You will be expected to pay for yourself and your invitees. In the West, we are largely used to tipping quite heavily for certain services, especially in restaurants. In China, this is a practice that is generally not observed so at the end of a meal, you will not be expected to leave any money. However, if you have a private guide or driver, you may want to tip them as this will form part of their salary, as it does in many other countries.   

Losing face

The concept of ‘losing face’ is extremely important in China, or rather the art of not losing face. So what exactly is it? Essentially it is the practice of giving respect where due and not causing any embarassment to the other person. This is one of the most important rules within Chinese society and must be abided at all times. For example, if you decide to buy gifts for people in your department, you must buy something far more valuable for senior members. To receive the same gift as everyone else will result in ‘losing face’ and great embarassment for all. The same goes for the way we speak to each other and verbally interact, in a Western business environment it might not be unusual to see someone lose their temper in the office or shout at a colleague.We are quite used to having disagreements or social frictions on a daily basis, whether it is about receiving the correct change in a shop, complaining about poor service, or someone cutting you up in traffic. Yet in China, to directly shout at someone in front of others results in both people ‘losing face’. This is really unnacceptable in Chinese culture and must be avoided at all costs, no matter how frustrated you may be! In the same vein, you must address people by their proper title;  in Europe particularly, it is considered quite usual to call managers and directors by their first name as anything else would seem strange and often too formal, but in China you must not call anyone by their first name unless they tell you to or you and they ‘lose face’, you must always preface their last name with their title or  position, such as Director or Manager.

It is a common misconception that Tokyo is expensive and more geared towards adults than for children. However, this is not the case whatsoever. There is plenty to see and do in Tokyo with your family. All of these activities depend on your individual budget of course, but do not think twice about taking your kids to Tokyo. You will be surprised at how much they can learn and all the fun to be had.

 

Theme parks and attractions

Disneyland Tokyo

The first that comes to any mind is of course, Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland has reached cult status in the last few years, not only with children but with adults too. It has to be said that although Tokyo Disneyland does come with a rather hefty price tag (from 4,100 to 6,200 yen, around USD$40-60), it may well be worth it. For constant entertainment, you cannot do better than Disney. There are regular performances, bundles of rides and plenty of characters to keep children occupied. There are of course enough attractions for adults, including rollercoasters and some pretty unique restaurants. With Disney, what you see is what you get and the quality never varies. So, for something that you know will leave kids happy, it might be worth paying the entrance fee.

Legoland Discovery Centre

There is also the famous Legoland Discovery Centre, located in Odaiba. There is a fabulous 4D cinema, virtual reality games and plenty of Lego for kids to play with. There are the usual thrills and spills rides, which range from tame to nail-biting, of course. The entrance is around half the price of that at Disney, and there are often discounts if you book online. The opening hours are also shorter than at Disney, so take that into account when planning your trip.

Kidzania

If you prefer something educational, look no further than Kidzania. This is a simulation-based theme park where children ‘play’ at adult jobs and can then spend their ‘pay’ in various stores or on entertainment. This is a great chance for kids to learn as well as play, and it is the perfect place to make new friends. It may appear that this aimed towards younger children but that is not the case. The upper age limit is fifteen years old, so you may even be able to entertain teenagers. The only downside is that the park is only open from 9.15-2.30 and then from 4.15-8.30pm.  

For anyone, learning a second language is not easy. For children, learning a language can be facilitated not only in school, but also at home. Being surrounded by native speakers and native culture helps immensely, but there are some tips and tricks to help the process along. Here are some helpful pointers to help your child pick up their second (or more) language.  

Organise a play date with a native speaker

This does not always have to mean joining a playgroup with local children, although that is certainly a good idea. Something as simple as introducing your child to colleagues who speak the lingo may start to prove useful. There may be meet-up groups in your area of other mothers who want to introduce their children to others and this is the perfect opportunity for your child to be exposed to the language. Try organising play dates if you know a child who speaks the language fluently. If the school or nursery offers classes after school hours, it might be a good idea to sign your child up for those. Most schools offer this kind of programme nowadays, particularly if there is a high concentration of expats in the community. Meetup.com is a great place to start, as well as checking local listings. If no group exists in your area, why not set one up yourself? It might be a great opportunity to meet other parents as well as practicing the language skills yourself!

 

Technology and your child

Technology is a gift when it comes to education, some may argue. Others may state differently but it certainly helps if it is difficult tracking down native speakers. There a million apps online nowadays to help your child, some more educational than others. Duolingo is popular with adults and kids alike, as it aims to make learning fun and bitesize. Using videos is always a good option, particularly if your child does not have access to their own phone or computer. YouTube alway has songs, dances and short lessons to help your child become accustomed to native speakers. As your child gets older, it may be worth investing in a programme such as Rosetta Stone . You could even try watching television together as a family in the other language to try and grasp the different intonations and sounds. Images work great with language learning, especially for children who are much likely to retain the color, shape and movement.
 

Team effort

It goes without saying that the more time you dedicate to your child’s language learning as a parent, the easier it will become. If you speak the local language well yourself, this will make you a great teacher and example to follow. If not, it can become a fun way to learn together. Playing games, such as Pictogram, is a great way to learn new vocabulary. Perhaps you can even try reading a book together, depending on the age of your child. As you grow more familiar with the language, going to the movies could be a great way of assimilating to both culture and language. Keep it simple however, otherwise you could all be at risk of getting frustrated!

 

Practice the language!

The key for language learning is to keep practicing. Depending on the age of your child, this could mean giving them greater responsibility in helping you shop for groceries, buying clothes or ordering in a restaurant. The more a child practices a language, the better equipped they will be at applying it in the real world. It is one thing to learn a language through study but quite another to speak outside the classroom. This way, your child can grow in confidence and fluency, whilst becoming more comfortable with their surroundings. A reward system is also worth considering as a way to compliment your child’s use of the language. If they do really well in class or speaking to a waiter, then treating your child may reinforce positive learning. Either way, plenty of praise is always appreciated when you are encouraging your child with something difficult. Patience is also key. We are all bound to make mistakes, so remember that learning a new language does not have to be perfect and it will take some time. Keep goals small and be prepared for plenty of frustration. With a bit of hard work and effort on all sides, your child will soon be able to speak freely in another language and that is really priceless.

How did you help your child learn a language? What other tips did you listen to? Comment below with your ideas!

Travelling can be a meaningful, enjoyable and memorable experience for all the right reasons. Yet sometimes it is possible that we start to feel a little under the weather. It can be hard to stay healthy when relocating to another country as there are so many other preoccupations. Multiply that with travelling and suddenly, you find yourself bed-ridden. However, there are some preventative measures you can take and here is a list of our top ten tricks to stay healthy whilst on the road.  

Hygiene first

It may sound obvious but when we are in the middle of a full bout of wanderlust, we often forget certain protocol that we would never abandon in ‘real life’. That means staying away from street food that may look tempting but does not practice effective hygiene. This advice does not mean you have to miss out on trying some local delicacies but exercise caution and common sense. It also goes without saying that washing your hands should take priority. If there are no facilities available, buy some antibacterial hand gel as a safety net. It also makes sense to wash your hands after using public transport as it can be a hotbed for germs.  

Watch your water

Again, it sounds like common sense but it is wise not to drink anything that has not been purified. In slightly more upscale restaurants, there should be no need to worry but when you are on the road, it is best to only drink out of a bottle or can. It is also a good idea to leave out the ice, no matter how hot it is. It might seem refreshing at the time but you could regret it later. Watch out for beer bottles that arrive already opened  too. The beauty of travelling around Asia is trying exotic fruits and juices but again keep an eye out for the water supply. It might be handy to have a bottle of water on hand to rinse off the fruit and try to steer clear of vendors who have ice from an unknown source. 

Eat wisely

Nobody knows your body better than you do, so if spicy food is likely to give you a stomach ache, it might be a good idea to steer clear. When you are first adjusting to a new climate or atmosphere, try to keep it simple. Sticking to rice and plain foods for the first couple of days might sound boring, but it means that your digestive system quickly gets used to new flavors and cooking styles. Obviously, the better cooked the food, the less likely you are to get sick. Also make sure to keep an eye out for any potential allergens in food. This may not be that obvious but if you have a coconut allergy and your food is cooked in coconut oil, you may well have a problem. If in doubt, try to find another option or ask what ingredients have been used. Dairy products are uncommon in Asia but if you find anything with dairy in it, check to see if the product has been refrigerated. If not, you might want to think again.

Try out vegetarianism for a day or two

As well as being allegedly healthier, sticking to vegetables for a few days may be a good idea whilst you are acclimatising. This does not mean you have to avoid meat entirely but if you are unsure, there are plenty of other options which still enable you to enjoy food on the go. Vegetables are far less likely to give you an upset stomach, as well as giving you an energy boost if your immune system has taken a hammering. Asian dishes usually have an array of fresh vegetables in them, and all of them are delicious. Served with rice and some spicy sauce, you can have a great meal without any of the worry that you are going to spend the next day feeling green around the gills.  

Be prepared

A lot of people swear by probiotic supplements or herbal remedies to alleviate any symptoms before or as they happen. Carrying a supply of chamomile tea is often the salvation your stomach needs after a dodgy dish. Acidophilus pills are also quite common in helping to adjust our stomachs to new foods. Whether this may work for you or not is a question of testing it out, but it might be worth considering as you prepare for your trip. Certainly, having some anti-diarrhea pills and pain killers may be wise if you do find yourself caught out. Prevention is often better than cure, so speak to your pharmacist before travelling to see if they have any recommendations.  

Do you have any tricks for staying healthy on the road? Comment with your suggestions below!

Hong Kong has a reputation worldwide for having one of the best street food traditions. So, cancel your restaurant reservations,  put your comfy trainers on and get out and about to find the best street food in Hong Kong!
 

Waffles, waffles, and more waffles

Hong Kong's fame comes from its egg waffles. No, really. These were recently voted one of the best in a survey of worldwide street food. It may sound humble but there is a lot you can do with some batter and a waffle press. Typically, these are paired with ice cream, fruits, syrups, and really anything sweet. However, if you miss a taste of America, you can always put bacon and syrup on your waffle. These can be found all over Hong Kong but some of the best are at Mammy Pancake and Master Low Key. They are cheap, filling, and even seem like a little taste of home.
 

Egg Tarts

While we are on the subject of sweet, Hong Kong egg tarts are another winner to satisfy your sweet tooth. These look similar to the egg custards you can find in Portugal and other European cities, but obviously have their own Hong Kong spin. Eggy, sugary, and not dissimilar to a creme Catalan, they positively melt in your mouth. The trick is to stop at just one. Or two. Or three. These can be found in bakeries all over the city and you will often see street vendors selling them in bags or individually. We assure you that no hunting around will be required.

Curry Fish Balls

They say that good things come in small packages and this has never been truer in the case of fish balls. These are made of minced fish meat, deep fried and covered in a mild curry sauce. This is a typical Hong Kong street food that the locals regularly enjoy. It also is one of the longest-serving types of street food, having been around for decades. They are usually served on a skewer, which should hold around 5 or 6. Take care as they can be boiling hot but once you try one, you will soon understand why adults and children alike go crazy for this snack. The best ones are said to be at Welcome Food Court or Tung Tat Food Shop (which also has some of the cheapest).

Pineapple buns

Contrary to what you may think, these do not contain any pineapple whatsoever; so why the name? The pattern on the soft, white bun stuffed with butter resembles a pineapple. It may sound unhealthy or even unappetising, but these buns are the ultimate in street food comfort eating. These have  been around for years and are usually drunk with tea or coffee at breakfast time. Despite their rather strange appearance and the rather strange combination, once you have tried one you will soon see that there is a reason why this is one of Hong Kong's most beloved snacks. You can find them at Kam Wah (mind the queues) which reportedly has the best in the city.
   

Fried intestines

No, this is not a joke although it may be for the more adventurous among us. This street food has been slowly gaining in popularity and it is surprisingly cheap and filling. Typically served on a skewer and fried, the outer part is crispy but inside the meat is tender and delicious. They are paired with a variety of sauces and are surprisingly tasty; the taste is not dissimilar to bacon or pancetta and you can hardly tell you are eating innards. The best ones are found at Ying Heong Yuen and Mong Kok Area, both of these places have a variety of all the street food options listed here.


  

Have fun trying out some new cuisine whilst in Hong Kong! Have you tried any of the above? What are your favorite types of street food in Asia? Comment below and share your experiences!

Are you an expat looking to make the most out of your stay in Southeast Asia? How about a romantic diving trip for two on a sailing boat? Our latest guest blogger and author of We Love It Wild, Nanda Haensel, comes onboard TheExpat.com to share her unique experience of sailing to Komodo Island, Indonesia, aboard the Alexa for three days! Team Expat believes this is an experience that you cannot miss once you're more or less settled in the neighboring region.

Sailing on a boat isn't as easy as it seems, given that most people are prone to motion sickness and there is a decided lack of amenities onboard. However, it’s an experience that adventurous expats should try given that the climate in Southeast Asia is ideal for sailing (not too hot, not too cold), plus it cuts down on a lot of travelling time if you’re flying from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong to Indonesia.

But enough raving on our part, hear it from Nanda herself, first hand. Makes you want to book a boat, leave work behind and just sail away...

Setting sail on the Alexa

It was on the late evening of 17 April when the 4 of us caught a flight on the Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Bali. As we can’t fly directly to our destination, we had to take a connecting flight to Labuan Bajo, which we had scheduled early next morning. Located at the westernmost tip of Flores, the town of Labuan Bajo is a small fishing village that marks the starting point of tourist trips to Komodo Island. There, we first laid eyes on our stunning sailing boat, the Alexa.


A former cargo boat, the Alexa was transformed into the most romantic sailing boat in Indonesia with the bones of an original phinisi. Described as “a single-cabin vessel in Indonesia built for a love affair”, we immediately fell in love with its beautiful simplicity, despite the fact that we were not exactly looking for a sailing boat, as we were travelling with 2 more friends. As the boat was only built for 2, it has only one bedroom for 2, but my husband and I decided that we wanted to sleep in the open on the upper deck, under the blanket of stars, instead, so the arrangement worked out fine.

A brief history of Komodo Island

So why did we choose to sail to the Komodo National Park? When we’ve heard that the diving experience in Komodo is world-class, the opportunity seemed too good to pass up.

Komodo is unique in that it offers 2 completely different marine environments with over 1,000 species of fish faunas. Komodo National Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the Lesser Sunda Islands, at a distance of 200 nautical miles to the east of Bali. It includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. Combined, they boast a total surface area of more than 1,800 km.

The park has been identified by WWF and Conservation International as a global conservation priority area, and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With such a rich marine biodiversity, diving in Komodo should be on the to-do list for anyone who is passionate about marine life and the sea.

Dive, dive, diving!

We started our dive safari at Siaba Besar, which is an amazing dive site in north Komodo. A beautiful coral garden lies along the western coast of the island with the currents getting stronger the farther south you go. During our dive, we were lucky enough to spot black tip sharks, barracudas, snappers, trevallies, wrasses and turtles!


Our next dive site was at Pink Beach, one of the seven pink beaches in the world. The “pink” sand is a result of the white sand mixing with the red coral in the shallow waters, and is another one of the many amazing features of Komodo.

The highlight of the trip, however, was the following day. The morning dive happened at Manta Point, which is well known as the spot where large groups of manta rays. As a result, it’s also a popular diving site—or it’s supposed to be, for we never saw anyone else there. Our diving instructor, Michael, and the 4 of us were the only ones swimming with 15 giant manta rays. At least, that’s what we were trying to do, for the currents were very strong here, and avoiding getting ourselves dashed on the rocks was more of our priority.


After Manta Point, we headed to our final dive site, feeling overwhelmed. Thankfully, our diving experience in Golden Passage was less crazy. We managed to do drift diving here, which is a type of scuba diving where the diver is transported by the currents caused by the tide, giving you the impression of flying. The coral reef was easily the most beautiful ones I’ve seen in my entire life (and that includes the Maldives!). The deeper you go, the more exotic the marine life. We made it to about 20 meters deep, surrounded by an amazing view.

The dragon on the island

However, there is more to Komodo than diving. Spotting the Komodo dragon in the wild is one example. When Komodo National Park was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2011, this lesser-known region of eastern Indonesia became a sensation among wildlife lovers keen to witness the largest lizard on Earth for themselves, us included. After an hour of trekking, we saw our very first Komodo dragon.


Did you know that there are less than 4,000 Komodo dragons in the world? As such, access to them is restricted, but tourists can get permits to see them in their natural habitat in the National Park.

There are also plenty of smaller islands to visit around Komodo. On our last day, we sailed off to the smaller island of Gili Lawa Darat. Watching the sun setting in the mountains of Gili Lawa and spending a night under the stars was the perfect way to say goodbye to paradise.

Sailing the Komodo Island on the Alexa for 3 days is a dream come true for wandering hearts. It lets travellers have a taste of being wild and free, yet comes with enough amenities such as top-notch meals and a masseuse, to make it a relaxing holiday. Even though we were diving nonstop, every new dive felt different than the last, and being able to see marine life up close was a bonus we felt very privileged to have. Without a doubt, this was a trip that we would remember for the rest of our lives.

The Alexa liveaboard vessel package includes accommodation, first-class meals, a certified diving instructor and tour guide.

Nanda Haensel is the author of We Love It Wild, a blog that documents her exotic travels with her husband—the more remote, the better. Satisfy your wanderlust by checking out her stories and travel tips at www.weloveitwild.com!

Expats are no strangers to experiencing culture shock. At its most basic, culture shock is the sensation a person feels when he/she encounters a foreign way of life different from one’s own. However, there are many different factors that can contribute to culture shock. As a result, many expats who are crippled by it do not recognize what is bothering them, and therefore unable to obtain the appropriate solution to address their situation.

So does this mean that you shouldn’t relocate? Of course not!

First of all, it’s important to remember that culture shock is a form of stress – therefore, it’s important to turn it into eustress, as opposed to distress. As an expat, it’s tempting to keep to yourself until it's time to return to your own country rather than adapt or assimilate, but why did you accept the transfer in the first place then? If you moved because of better opportunities, why not take the opportunity to expose yourself to new cultures and ways of seeing the world?

*Eustress refers to a positive response one has to a stressor, which can depend on one's current feelings of control, desirability, location, and timing of the stressor.

Below is an infographic that breaks down culture shock and its many benefits:

Now that you know there’s nothing to fear about culture shock, are you looking forward to your move? 

It’s no secret that travelling is so much easier when you have a car. However, the costs that come with owning a car sometimes far outweighs its benefits, especially when you’re living in Singapore. For example, according to Big Fat Purse, you need to be earning, at least SGD 5k a month in order to maintain ownership of your car, due to the rising costs of petrol. Car owners must also obtain a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) before they can drive their vehicle in Singapore, and costs more than SGD 80k to bid, due to the government’s decision to curb car ownership as part of efforts to reduce traffic volumes in urban areas.

So what happens if you can’t afford to buy a car? Of course, if you’re living near your workplace or in an accessible location like Orchard Road, you can easily walk or cycle to wherever it is you need to go. The cycling culture is very much alive and flourishing in the island city-state. There’s even a guide on intra-town cycling by Singapore Land Transport Authority, which covers everything from cycling etiquette to designated cycling paths. However, if cycling is not your thing…

Getting Around In Singapore 

For first-time expats in Singapore who don’t have a car or aren’t keen on getting one, rest assured that getting around in the island city-state using public transport is not as difficult as it sounds. One can get almost anywhere in Singapore either by train, buses, cabs, and rented cars. Here’s how:

Bus in Singapore 

If you’re looking for the cheapest way of getting around Singapore, look no further: Not only does Singapore’s bus system has an extensive network of routes, it’s also the most affordable method of transportation. Upon boarding, you can pay for your bus fare using cash (just make sure you have the exact change) or tap your EZ-Link stored-value card on the card reader. Then sit back and enjoy the scenic ride to your destination in air-conditioned comfort.

MRT/Train in Singapore

The fastest way to zip around the city is undoubtedly by the MRT. Almost all of Singapore’s key attractions are located within walking distance of an MRT station, and if they aren’t you can still supplement your travel by taking a bus at the stop outside the railway station to your final destination. In order to travel on the MRT, you would need to buy a ticket or use an EZ-Link stored-value card.

Mention the word "trailing spouse" to a stay-at-home expat husband or wife and it may ruffle a few feathers. The common protest remains: "Who's" following "who" across the world when the decision was made as a unit? "Trailing" seems to imply following your other half without much of a purpose beyond just, well, tagging along! Coined in 1981 by Wall Street Journal reporter Mary Bralove in an article titled “Problems of Two-Career Families Start Forcing Businesses to Adapt”, the term refers to an individual who follows their spouse or partner to relocate to another city, state, or country because of a work assignment, and the issues that arises as a result of that move.

While relocating to a foreign place can be exciting initially, when the dust settles, you’re left standing in a new condominium with boxes of belongings for your entire family to unpack; experiencing difficulties in adapting to a new culture where everyone eats noodles or dumplings for breakfast; as well as accepting that you’ve had to make sacrifices in the process, which makes the term “trailing spouse” rather rankling. It trivializes the issues you face and relegates you to the role of matrimonial baggage, because you’re doing so much more than just “trailing”.

Having been in those shoes ourselves, Team Expat thinks that there should be international awards for trailing spouses who have to put up with a lot, including:

• The Unselfish Team Player - They give up their existing career or even future career goals during the relocation period to support their partner's dream. In any case, statistics show that the vast majority of spouses who were employed at home are unable to find employment abroad.

• The Power International Adaptor - They have to adapt to new environments and culture, and in some cases, help their children adapt to their new surroundings as well, which means being strong for the entire family and putting up a brave front! All of this involves working hard at reestablishing a new identity, personally, and in professional and social circles.

People who are successful in life often fail to spend sufficient time on planning and structuring their estate, thus leaving behind a potential headache for their dependents. This often leads to conflicts amongst siblings and leaves a bitter taste in the mouth concerning their parents’ lack of foresight.

Legacy planning and protecting your family's wealth and finances should be the first thing an expat does according to finacial expert Freddy Meindertsma, read on to see his advice for securing your family's financial security.

The importance of writing a will

The ‘will’ is a legally enforceable declaration of how a person wishes his property and assets to be distributed after death. By writing one, a guardian for the children can be appointed, as well as an executor of the estate responsible for handling matters usually supervised by the probate court.

Without a will an estate passes ‘probate’ according to Succession Law, where the legal court will take it into their hands to conclude all your legal and financial matters after your death—with further complications if there are assets in several countries. The problem for many expats is they find this out too late.

Probate, by definition, refers to the general administering of a deceased person's will, or the estate of a deceased person without a will. The court appoints either an ‘executor’ named in the will or an ‘administrator’ if there is no will.

Singapore has always been one of the more popular countries among expats, but did you know that the island city-state boasts the highest paid expats in the world? According to a recent article by HSBC, relocating to Singapore pays off lucratively for expats in terms of disposable income and savings. But that is only a few of the many reasons why expats who move to Singapore are the highest paid in the world—and Team Expat has collated and broke down the facts for you below:

Fact #1: Low cost of living and working in Singapore

Contrary to popular belief, the cost of living and working in Singapore can be kept to a minimum, if one knows how. For example, instead of owning a car, why not use public transport? Not only is the country’s public transportation network extremely accessible—you can go almost anywhere by bus or MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) alone—it’s also really cheap. If you need to go somewhere that’s not accessible by bus or train, the option for cabs is open to you, and they are still more affordable than the cost of maintaining a car.

The Strait Times reported that living and working costs in cities with more space has decreased, and Singapore recorded the biggest decline at 16.6 per cent. Although this can be seen as a decline in local economic conditions or demand for property, cheaper rents could also prove to be a global competitive advantage—low rents coupled with high quality of living could entice expats to move to the country. Ultimately, the low cost of living and working in Singapore makes it easier for expats to save more of their income, making them the highest paid in the world, based on the amount of disposable income leftover after taxes, household and necessary expenditures.

Fact #2: Singapore’s financial markets are flourishing

According to The Strait Times, more and more millionaires are choosing to relocate to Singapore over Hong Kong due to the Umbrella Movement—a pro-democracy demonstration that began on 28 September 2014 as a form of grass-roots objection to the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) of 31 August 2014. Although it seems that activists have abandoned their fight, leaders of the pro-democracy movement explained that the struggle is not over, and that they are merely laying low until further developments in Beijing. As a result, wealthy expats from Hong Kong prefer to relocate to Singapore, which raises the average of 1 in 35 Singaporeans by 17 per cent, according to WealthInsight.

Additionally, Singapore is known for its superior quality of life and flourishing financial markets, which factors into migratory expats’ decision-making. An increase in the number of wealthy expats in the country leads to higher amounts of spending, which in turn helps to stimulate the economy more, if Keynesian economics are to be believed. Further reports from WealthInsight also show that the country’s wealthiest have the lowest average wealth in Asia (USD 5.2 million per individual)—a lower average means that the wealth is distributed evenly among the country’s population.

Think back to the day when you were packing for your big international move: Remember the stress of deciding what you should bring or leave behind? Due to limited luggage space and budget constraints (we can’t all hire movers to ship every piece of furniture we have to our new home), was there anything that you wished you packed but didn’t? How do you decide what you should bring along?

Packing to move abroad is a whole different ballgame from packing for a vacation. You’re going to be home away from home for an extended amount of time, and unless you have relatives to house-sit for you back in your home country, you’re likely going to sell it, along with most of the items you own. How you decide what to keep and what to sell requires you to do some research about the country you’re relocating to.

To help you along, Team Expat has compiled a list of items which, according to expats like yourself, they regretted not packing:

1. Converters and adapters

Unless your home country has the same electrical configuration as your new country of residence, you’ll need converters to change the voltage of the electricity to match your devices, and an adapter to allow your chargers to fit into the wall sockets. While converters and adapters are readily available in most countries, especially Singapore, it isn’t worth shelling out additional money for them if you already have them, plus you will definitely need them for the first few nights to charge your devices in case you don’t have time to run out and buy some.

2. Bedding

This is one thing that many expats tend to forget, since bed sheets and pillowcases can take up a lot of luggage space. However, unless you’re arriving early to a home furnished with a washer and dryer, or planning to sleep on a sheet-less bed, you may want to pack a couple of bedding sets. Doing this also ensures you don’t have to worry about doing laundry immediately when you land, but remember to check out the size of the beds in your new home.

Singaporeans have a saying, ‘kiasu’, a Hokkien and Singlish word that means a grasping, selfish attitude. Derived from ‘kia’ “afraid” and ‘su’ “lose”, the term is literally translated as “afraid to lose”.

In more ways than one, this “never say die” attitude has seeped into the Singaporean way of life, from serious competition for straight A’s in school to feeling downright guilty when one clocks off from work at 6:00pm sharp. Sounds ‘kiasu’, right? But the peer pressure remains powerful as ever, not just for hard working Singaporeans but also for highly driven expats based in Singapore who willingly respond to emails at all hours and donate much of their off-hours to work.

Working longer hours increases stroke risk by up to 30%

PARIS (AFP) - According to a research published back in August 2015, working 55 hours or more per week is linked to a one-third greater risk of stroke compared with a 35 to 40-hour work week.

The review of 17 studies covered 528,908 men and women over an average span of 7.2 years. Increased stroke risk remained once smoking, alchohol consumption and level of physical activity were taken into account. The study, published in The Lancet, found that compared with people who logged a standard week, those working between 41 and 48 hours had a 10 percent higher risk, while for those working 49 to 54 hours, the risk jumped by 27 per cent. Working 55 hours or more a week increased the risk of having a stroke by 33 per cent, the study showed.

Working longer hours is also bad for a company’s bottom line in the long run

Even the most slave-master of employers would concur from evidence that: cracking the whip actually costs the company more loss in terms of employee absenteeism, higher turnover, and rising health insurance costs, when employees have to put in excessively long hours at work.

Relocating to another country is daunting, however, Singapore is a welcoming city with easy access to modern amenities and facilities. The transition  can be made easier if you take the time to get prepared well ahead of time.

Singapore to the uninitiated…

A tiny dot at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is an economic giant – globally. The vibrant city is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arabic, and English cultures, an ethnic mix reflected in its eclectic cuisine. Flourishing under the late Lee Kuan Yew’s efficient and determined government, this island nation is considered south east Asia’s most modern city excelling in trade and tourism. It’s safe, clean and green environment, warm tropical climate, and excellent infrastructure all combine to make Singapore a welcome change for millions of expats around the world.

 

Important To-Do’s Before You Move to Singapore.

The thought of change is exciting, but it’s also best described as the lull of anticipation before the storm! Once you get into the actual hustle and bustle of logistics and paperwork, “new” experiences don’t seem so hyped up anymore. To help alleviate some inevitable relocation anxiety, here’s a list of  things you should prepare for:

 

Gather information

TheExpat.com is a great resource for expats moving to Singapore, and we are working hard to be truly comprehensive. Aside from our blog featuring the latest expat information, news and happenings around Singapore, check out our experts profile page for professional advice on relocating, property, finance and more; don’t forget to look at our classifieds section if you’re looking to buy and sell expat second hand items in Singapore; and our business directory will point you to tried and tested services.