Using mobile internet, iPhone or iPad in Japan for tourists This April I am planning a trip to Japan, and as we know Japan is one of those countries where there aren’t that many English speakers around. Given how complex the city itself is with language issues, an internet connection which tends to be my last resort of survival in a foreign country, is needed. Here comes the problem: Japan is a country that doesn’t primarily use GSM mobile phone technology, which means obtaining SIM cards isn’t exactly the easiest thing for short-term traveler. I also heard that obtaining and filling down local paperworks isn’t one of the things I’d love to be doing on a 8-day trip either. After an extensive research (yes, I did spend 2 hours on this), the easiest and the cheapest option for me is to rent either a SIM card or a device from this company. The rates are probably the best you can get if you live in Japan for less than a month and they even let you rent devices.  Since I’ll be traveling with my parents this time, I’ll just go with the Mi-Fi that lets me connect five of the devices to the internet on the go since I can route all the calls via Skype or Viber anyway so there really is no use to get a plan with local calls. And after seeing what my hotel is going to charge me for 24-hour internet access, it’s a no brainer. Oh, and the link: Global Advanced Communications

Using mobile internet, iPhone or iPad in Japan for tourists

This April I am planning a trip to Japan, and as we know Japan is one of those countries where there aren’t that many English speakers around. Given how complex the city itself is with language issues, an internet connection which tends to be my last resort of survival in a foreign country, is needed.

Here comes the problem: Japan is a country that doesn’t primarily use GSM mobile phone technology, which means obtaining SIM cards isn’t exactly the easiest thing for short-term traveler. I also heard that obtaining and filling down local paperworks isn’t one of the things I’d love to be doing on a 8-day trip either.

After an extensive research (yes, I did spend 2 hours on this), the easiest and the cheapest option for me is to rent either a SIM card or a device from this company. The rates are probably the best you can get if you live in Japan for less than a month and they even let you rent devices. 

Since I’ll be traveling with my parents this time, I’ll just go with the Mi-Fi that lets me connect five of the devices to the internet on the go since I can route all the calls via Skype or Viber anyway so there really is no use to get a plan with local calls.

And after seeing what my hotel is going to charge me for 24-hour internet access, it’s a no brainer.

Oh, and the link: Global Advanced Communications

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I’m here in Geneva, Switzerland on a business trip. It’s probably one of the most expensive cities in probably one of the most expensive countries in the world. Whilst I’m trying to justify buying anything here, here’s the stuff I didn’t know before I come to Geneva: (1) Luxury watches are sold everywhere here, as expected. You can bargain the prices down for about 10% if you pay cash from any retailers (even at Patek Philippe shop) and if you’re a tourist you get 7% VAT back. However, you’ll be surprised that these watches aren’t any cheaper than elsewhere. (Hint: go back to good ole’ Old Bond St. in London for watches) (2) People here speak French, but they aren’t as rude as their counterparts in France. So langauge doesn’t exactly define or shape French Swiss culture but it only influences. (3) Patara fine dining Thai restaurant here has the same menu as the ones in London, but almost twice the price thanks to the strong Swiss francs. The same applies with le Relais de l’Entrecote. (4) Don’t wear jacket and tie, or that means you have lowered yourself to the same level as those responsible for the Eurozone crisis. (But I’ll have to tell you they’ve got style, they all look so fucking sharp) (5) The Swissôtel Métropole hotel doesn’t have free Wi-Fi. It’s just cheap, calling itself a five-star hotel and charge CHF 20 for 24 hours of Internet access, when the city itself and Starbucks are giving it out for free. I think I’m now addicted to putting things into lists. Now why would the company I work with right now wants me to be their copywriter again?

I’m here in Geneva, Switzerland on a business trip. It’s probably one of the most expensive cities in probably one of the most expensive countries in the world. Whilst I’m trying to justify buying anything here, here’s the stuff I didn’t know before I come to Geneva:

(1) Luxury watches are sold everywhere here, as expected. You can bargain the prices down for about 10% if you pay cash from any retailers (even at Patek Philippe shop) and if you’re a tourist you get 7% VAT back. However, you’ll be surprised that these watches aren’t any cheaper than elsewhere. (Hint: go back to good ole’ Old Bond St. in London for watches)

(2) People here speak French, but they aren’t as rude as their counterparts in France. So langauge doesn’t exactly define or shape French Swiss culture but it only influences.

(3) Patara fine dining Thai restaurant here has the same menu as the ones in London, but almost twice the price thanks to the strong Swiss francs. The same applies with le Relais de l’Entrecote.

(4) Don’t wear jacket and tie, or that means you have lowered yourself to the same level as those responsible for the Eurozone crisis. (But I’ll have to tell you they’ve got style, they all look so fucking sharp)

(5) The Swissôtel Métropole hotel doesn’t have free Wi-Fi. It’s just cheap, calling itself a five-star hotel and charge CHF 20 for 24 hours of Internet access, when the city itself and Starbucks are giving it out for free.

I think I’m now addicted to putting things into lists. Now why would the company I work with right now wants me to be their copywriter again?

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Prepaid SIM card with data around the world

I am writing this partly to remind myself later when I travel abroad with my iPhone 4. Admit it, life is so much more difficult without having access to the internet wherever you go. What would you do if you get bored? Travelling abroad often means lots of time having to wait in various queues. That’s right, what you need is a local pay as you go (prepaid) SIM card with data.

This wikia is probably the best place I find (so far) to get hold of info about PAYG SIM cards with data around the world:

http://paygsimwithdata.wikia.com/

Oh, and if you are travelling to the UK with an iPhone 4, make sure you get your data-capable SIM card from O2, not Vodafone UK. No reception indoors at all almost everywhere you go especially in London. O2 is a much faster network as well, not once that my Viber calls were interrupted due to bad reception or slow connection.

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