See Dave Do

Category: Travel

  • AirBNB In Tokyo: What You Need To Know

    AirBNB In Tokyo: What You Need To Know

    So you’ve decided to take your two week vacation from work and booked a trip to Tokyo, Japan. Next step, is booking accommodation to enjoy your trip. For the longest time I always just booked a hotel and called it a day. Theeeeeeeeeen I discovered AirBNB and I will say, there is no better bang for your buck. So I’ve just convinced you to get an AirBNB instead of a hotel…. Hold up there are a few things you should know. Especially as of June 15th, 2018 the rules have changed! As of said date, Japan has lost roughly 80% of their AirBNB listings.

    Japan has passed a new law that makes it much more difficult to be a host on AirBNB:

    • Hosts limited to home-sharing to 180 days a year.
    • Local Governments can regulate services in their own area.
    • Home-renting is now only allowed in certain zones.
    • All home-sharing hosts must have valid licenses.

    So due to these new rules it will be a bit more difficult to get yourself that AirBNB. How do you get around it, BOOK EARLY as possible. There are limited amounts of AirBNB available at the time of writing this, most due to the fact that, Many owners still have not been able to acquire a valid license yet, I do expect this to slowly increase and hopefully the Japan AirBNB market begins to rebuild to where it once was. So book those AirBNB as early as possible.

     

    What’s it like?

    Well, anytime you stay anywhere you should do your research beforehand. Like many large asian cities Tokyo is limited for space so they build up! That being said, it all comes down to your bankbook. If money isn’t an issue, you can find some really amazing spreads that are modern, spacious, with all the amenities you could want. However most fo us aren’t balling out of control, so I’ll use myself as an example. When I travel I always try to stretch a buck and the most for the least. AirBNB is no different, I usually book my digs a few months beforehand. If you have your dates set I would make a reservation as far ahead of time as possible to maximize the availability, and choices you have. I generally look at it this way, I personally don’t need amazing amenities as I spend 80% of my time out. I look for Location first and foremost, then I look at price, and comfort. I tend to stay in Shibuya [which has recently lost a lot of their listings] and try to pay in between $100-$130/night and thats generally for a place with at least 2 beds and 1 bedroom. Sounds big……but its really not, the Japanese have perfected making the the most of small spaces. But I don’t have any issues, be sure to read the reviews from past people who stayed there because sometimes photos don’t do the spaces justice at times. Also it’s super important that they come with pocket wifi, so I don’t have to use my phone on roaming, and I don’t need to get a sim card when I get there [Money saved]. As long as it has a decent bed a bit os space, and a clean bathroom, I’m good!

    Where Should I Stay?

    Next up, where should I in Tokyo? There isn’t one simple answer to this, so I’ll try to break it down by trip type:

    Party People: So you are young [or old] and your main purpose is to experience the nightlife that Tokyo has to offer. I always recommend staying near a subway station if possible. That being said I would stay in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, or Roppongi. All of those areas offers up fantastic nightlife and you will spend all night/morning dancing and drinking until the sun comes up, literally…. because subways stop running between 12am-5am [this is why you have an AirBNB near what you want to do].

    Culturalists: Yeah thats not a word, I just made it up, add it to your Davetionary! Basically you’re looking to explore shrines and culture. There are soo many places scattered around Tokyo that will fit your travel goals, but i would recommend staying near Asakusa, Yoyogi, Tokyo. Meji-Jingumai and Senso-ji being the largest shrines, and definite must visits. Yoyogi park is a wonderfull stroll especially on a Sunday afternoon. Alternatively you can stay near Tokyo station, which is within walking distance to Tokyo Imperial Palace.

    Foodies: Honestly…..choose another thing other than just food. You can honestly stay anywhere and find amazing places to eat no matter what you’re into. Tokyo has the most Michelin Starred restaurants in the world. But if local authentic is what you’re looking for, just follow the crowds. I have yet to wander into any random eatery and be disappointed by the food. But do beware, many places may not have an english menu.

    Connecting Out: if you are only in Tokyo for a few days and planning on heading over to another area of Japan. I would stay near Shinagawa or Tokyo station as those are the two hubs for the Shinkansen bullet trains.

    So that’s pretty much the skinny on Tokyo and AirBNB at the moment. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want some help with anything Tokyo feel free to leave a comment below or shoot me a message.

    Happy travels yall!

     

     

     

  • NYC With The Lincoln Aviator

    NYC With The Lincoln Aviator

    So last week Mel and I were lucky enough to be invited to a preview of the New York International Auto Show where Lincoln unveiled the new 2019 Aviator.

    We stayed in Manhattan which is super dope, I love New York! So many cool places to shoot, eat, and play! Going to the New York International Auto Show a few days before it opened for the media preview was super cool. Getting to enjoy all the new vehicles coming out without the hustle and bustle of all the people being there.

    Overall first impression of the Lincoln Aviator was great! It’s got smooth lines, and overall has a very sexy look, especially for a midsize. Speaking of midsize, living in the city, as much as I LOVE the Navigator, it’s just a touch too big to be driving around narrow streets. This is where the Aviator finds its place in my opinion. Lincoln did a great job with the design, representing the whole idea of effortless. They introduced a pretty dope feature, being that you can use your phone as a key FOB! For someone like me, technology is king and almost every aspect of my life has tech built into it. So I’m excited to check it out with a hands on experience when it’s released.

    The entire look and feel of it is very pleasing, from the new front grill, which gives the car presence to the aeronautical lines leading to the rear of the vehicle. The inspiration was taken from flight, and aircraft. So it’s pretty cool. MSRP hasn’t been announced just yet but stay tuned, i’m sure it will be out soon and i’ll have all that info for all you looking to buy a dope midsize!

    I’m totally stoked at the release of the Lincoln Aviator and can’t wait to get my hands on it! For for all of you that will be in the market for a new midsize, stay tuned the Aviator is coming!

     

  • Exploring Mexico – Riviera Maya Edition

    Exploring Mexico – Riviera Maya Edition

    I’ve travelled quite a bit over the last 10 years, a majority of which were spent on Caribbean islands. I had been to Cancun 10 years ago but it was a very different type of trip consisting of way too much drinking and partying. Luckily (for Mel) my tastes have since changed when I travel.

    Flying from Toronto to Cancun took about 4 hours, which I find super short of a flight when compared to some of my other yearly escapades. To be on a beach in the middle of Feb, when it’s snowing at home I will sit on a 16 hour flight if I have to.

    Normally I go all inclusive, but this time was different. We rented a car and ate out or just cooked our own food as our room had a full kitchen in it as well. Having a car is SUPER clutch, you don’t have to be at the mercy of tours and taxis and the price generally isn’t that bad depending on the type of car you pick up.

    We in between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, The Vidanta which hosts a HUGE property housing 3 resorts in one was pretty nice, well kept and clean, good amenities. The only gripe for me was the beach….could have been better.

    But that aside, since we rented a car and didn’t go all inclusive we didn’t spend too much time at the resort and opted for excursions daily which included XPLOR, TULUM, COBA, ISLA DE MUJERES, DOWNTOWN CANCUN, and PLAYA DEL CARMEN. It was a pretty jam packed trip and I will say that when I go back it will definitely be for 2 weeks and not 1.

    So speaking of Beaches, Isla de Mujeres, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum were super nice, white sandy beaches and beautiful water to go along with it. Packing all my stuff in my Poppy and Peonies beach bag helped a lot since we did do a fair amount of walking to and from some of the beaches. Not to mention the ferry ride to Isla De Mujeres. Durable, stylish, and carried literally everything I needed for both Mel and me.

    Every night we would go into either Playa Del Carmen or Downtown Cancun to find somewhere to eat dinner (I will make a post about where to eat another day). If you don’t like spicy food……first…..what’s wrong with you?! and second learn to love it, because it’s everywhere and absolutely delicious! Rocking some of my new favourite pieces from Le Chateaus SS18 line which included what will be my go to spring blazer. Pastels are in and Le Chateau totally hit the mark with this blazer!

    As you imagine being in the sun all day and enjoying the wonderful salt water escapades, my skin took a bit of a beating. Luckily Kiehl’s had me covered with some dope Vitamin C Serum! which I found pretty damn refreshing, I honestly feel like skincare for men is one of the most overlooked aspects of our grooming routines (among a few others). But I just recently started using and trying different products that I HAD NO IDEA about. Not to mention how I do enjoy some good face cream after a hot shower. Kiehl’s had me covered there too with their Ultra Facial Cream!

    So for those of you looking to go to Mexico here’s a quick list of places to visit if you are staying in Quintana Roo:

    • Mayan Ruins of Coba – you can actually still climb their highest temple (the other ruins have been closed due to security risks). You can also rent a bike or rickshaw to hike up to the ruins from the entrance of the park. I suggest the bike!
    • Tulum Beach – easily one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll find. It’s surrounded ruins, which is really  unique since the Mayans never used to build their cities near water,
    • Playa Del Carmen – Cancun, but better. Better prices, more chill over parties, and the quaintest pedestrian-only streets and markets. Extremely lively in the evening! 
    • Isla de Mujeres – a tiny island off the coast of Cancun where you can rent a moped/golf cart and explore the entire island in a day. So much authentic Mexican culture preserved and a lot of amazing architecture
    • Parque de las Palapas – a Mexican night market… for locals. You’ll be 1/3 tourist groups there. Churros, $3-5 food, incredibly friendly people, live music… and all for free
    • Xplor – probably the coolest excursion you’ll find in the area. Zipline across 14 zip lines over the Mexican jungle (take about 2 hours), swim in underground Cenotes, drive an Amphibious car through the jungle… it’s worth it.
    • Cenote Swimming – freshwater pools in a cave. The photos are real and they’re as epic as they look. 

    I will most def hit up Mexico again, it was an absolute blast so maybe next year, we’ll see. So until then, stay classy, keep travelling and keep reaching for your goals people peoples!

     

     

     

  • Staycation: Bringing In The Holidays

    Staycation: Bringing In The Holidays

    We spend all year working, and for most people that consumes a good portion of their lives. So in order to bring some balance into our lives, every December Mel [@melhwang] and I get together with Vic [@thelustlistt] and Peter [@thedunklistt] to take some time to hangout together for a staycation and just be merry and all that good stuff.

    This year we stayed at Sheraton Centre in Toronto. I have spend many New Years there, as well as other random days. So it was a very familiar experience for me. It’s a fantastic place to spend a few nights, they have great amenities, but above and beyond that. Their location is fantastic, regardless of your room booking you’ll have a fantastic view of Nathan Philip Square or a great city view with the CN Tower! Just stunning! The Sheraton has BnB restaurant downstairs where you can just pop in and get some delicious food without having to leave the hotel. When the weather sucks there is nothing better!

    Getting to your destination can sometimes be a drag, with traffic, snow, and some not so festive people. However, when you have a sweet ride, it makes a world of difference. We got to play with the all new Buick Enclave this year, and I must say. I’m impressed, full leather, deceivingly spacious in the front or back. The sound system is on point, standard nav and entertainment unit. But the greatest feature of all HAS to be the on board WIFI! No need to eat up that data while you’re on the road or stuck in traffic. All in all, it was a great ride with 4 people and all our stuff packed away in the back, and yet still soo much room to enjoy the ride!

     

    And with every holiday new clothes and experiences are always a must! We partnered up with Banana Republic and got to rock some pieces from their new arrivals. There is nothing quite like a new suit, the way it fits and makes you feel like a million bucks! Stylish, well made, and a variety of cuts to choose from to get that perfect fit for your body type. Since I don’t currently own one I opted for a grey suit with a light checkered pattern, and paired it with a charcoal turtleneck, and Velvet shoes. Being that it is winter, I also opted for a knit toque to keep my head warm when we went to visit the Christmas Market across the street at Nathan Philips Square.

    Now one thing that I got to experience for the first time, was working on my skincare routine! Mel obviously is religious when it comes to skin care, but as a guy it EASILY gets overlooked on our day to day routines. For the most part we are lazy when it comes to stuff like that. But I must say that I rather enjoyed it and may just start to add it into my daily routine. I had the opportunity to try out some cool stuff from Origins Canada. The whipped peppermint cream is SUPER dope. It’s not greasy like most products and smells incredible to boot. 100% will use again, Especially after showers when I find that my skin feels the driest

    As for overnight treatments, I tried out Estee Lauder Serum, along with their Nutritious Vitality8 for my beautiful under eye bags. applying it all on after a long day of laughs, food, shooting, and having fun was just super refreshing and had me feeling great going to bed. Waking up the next morning, my face felt like new, and ready to take on the day!

    all in all it was a wicked fun staycation in the city with one of our favourite couples, can’t wait to do it all over again next year! Perhaps maybe even do up some staycations more often. I love my city and sometimes it’s nice to just stay local and experience it from a different angle and keep it fresh!

    What stuff do you like to do in the city?

  • We Got Inspired In Tokyo

    We Got Inspired In Tokyo

    As you all know, Tokyo is essentially home away from home for me. Before meeting Mel [@melhwang] it was a yearly tradition, to get together with my boys and take a trip to the land of the rising sun. After meeting Mel…..well, nothings changed! Only difference is that she gets to come along from time to time. This being her second trip with me to my second home, We decided to do a bit more shooting and shopping instead of the typical sightseeing stuff as we’ve done that for the most part.

    I also decided to suit up a few times, just to change it up a bit. Taking a break from the plethora of street style available there. Really fell in love with this Le Chateau blazer and complimenting trousers and button up.

    Not to sound bourgeois, but normally I like to fly long flights in the comfort of Air Canadas business class section, but since Mel doesn’t get to come often i gave her my seat up front and sucked it up sitting in the back for 13 hours. Needless to say once you sit in business class you never want o go back to economy! One thing with long flights, is they are super taxing, you feel gross afterwards and just need something, a little pick me up to refresh yourself after that long flight. We partnered up with Glam Glow ( which is a new thing for me). I’m normally not one to have a skin care regimen, however after trying it out I was super happy with the cleanser Mel had me use!

    That totally got me reset for the rest of the trip feeling FRESH! While I got that done Mel was rocking out with Shu Uemura and all the lovely lipsticks and such to get ready every night before we painted the town red,

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    One of the spots you HAVE to hit up while in Tokyo hands down is Shibuya. Everything goes down there or is accessible from there. nightlife, great food, shopping, and generally anything you want to do is a hop skip and a jump. It’s also home to the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world, The Shibuya Scramble.

    Travelling with that special person is always such a treat, so get out there explore the world and don’t forget to take those shots that will last a lifetime!

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  • Travel Essentials For That Beach Vacation

    Travel Essentials For That Beach Vacation

    Being someone who loves traveling and taking photos, there are a few things I try to come in my bag when I go away. below is a list of items that will ensure you get the most out of your vacations!

    Dope Photogenic Beach Towel

                I don’t know about you but when I’m at the beach with all the obligatory beach shots my towel tends to either end up in the photo as an afterthought or as a main piece of the actual photo. That being said, having a beach towel that shoots well will go a long way.

    Tripod 

                For someone who shoots most of my content on my own, a tripod is SUPER CLUTCH! I have tripods for various occasions, some bigger and heavier than others. I recommend picking up a gorilla pod style of tripod for travels as it’s easy to carry, doesn’t take up much space if you are packing it in your suitcase and is crazy versatile for most situations.


    24mm Lens

    Being a photographer, I have a crap load of lenses in my kit. At times it can be difficult to pack all the gear you want to while packing clothes and everything else and still be under weight for your luggage. A 24mm lens is compact and is probably my favourite prime to walk around with when I travel anywhere.

     

    Extra Camera Batteries

    I cannot stress this enough! When you are traveling, you never know how long you will be out and about or when you’ll have a chance to charge up your gear. So having 2 extra batteries is a MUST. The last thing you want it s to spend the whole day shooting and run out of juice just as that perfect sunset happens and you standing there recording it to memory! SADFACE!


    Sunscreen

                I’m super hypocritical when it comes to this because 99% of the time it’s the one thing I always forget. But for those times that I do end up remembering to pack some it’s always a lifesaver. The sun will destroy your skin and make for a very uncomfortable vacation if you spend most of your day at the pool or beach.

     

    Lotion

    Anytime I travel a tube of l’occitane cream comes with me! (this is not sponsored) I actually love their products. I find when I travel sometimes shower water is harsh on my skin and I get all dried out after I get out of the shower. This stuff is great, not greasy, and absorbs into your skin super quick.

     

    What are your must haves?