Destination

October 3, 2019 by Jeremy

Fix-It Tickets: What Happens If You Don’t Pay Them On-Time

It doesn’t always seem like it, but most of the time traffic laws exist to help people make sure they are driving safely in a safe vehicle. That’s why fix it tickets exist, to help make sure drivers are keeping vehicles in the condition that makes them safe on the road. These tickets are technically called correctable violations, because if you fix them within a specified time frame the fines are either waved or minimized. Correctable violations include not only tickets for vehicle repair like broken or burned out headlights, but also for issues with the documentation like improper proof of insurance. So what happens if you miss the deadline? For starters, there’s a penalty fine, and then from there things just keep getting harder.

Increasing Fines and Court Appearances

If the ticket isn’t fixed within the specified time frame, the system begins to grind into gear. The first thing that happens, other than the penalty fine, is that a court date is assigned in traffic court. If you make your court appearance, there are several options open to you. Most of them will look familiar if you have ever had to fight traffic ticket Los Angeles before.

  • Agree to pay the fine and pay it with the court clerk on prior to the court date or on the day of the hearing
  • Argue your inability to pay, which may result in decreased fines or a payment plan
  • Demonstrate the work was done and explain why it was not signed off by an authorized person on time

The easiest way to deal with a fix-it ticket that has passed its deadline is to show up to the court appearance to explain what happened. Ignoring the hearing leads to a further escalation of penalties.

What Happens After a Missed Court Appearance?

Like missed court appearances for other issues, a missed appearance for a fix-it ticket leads to an escalation of all the problems in play that led to the hearing being scheduled. Typically, fines automatically increase as a bare minimum. If they go unpaid for long enough, they will continue escalating. Unpaid fines that have escalated as far as the law allows eventually lead to the suspension of driving privileges for those affected, and that can hamper your ability to renew a vehicle’s registration in the long run.

It’s really quite simple, the faster you deal with a ticket, the less it will cost you. Of course, life isn’t that simple. Sometimes, you can’t get free of work to do the things you need to do, or you wind up with family emergencies that distract you from administrative details like a traffic ticket. When that happens, a traffic violation lawyer might be able to help you figure out the best way to resolve the issue with a minimum of fines and inconvenience. The courts listen when drivers have legitimate reasons for failing to follow through with unpaid tickets and missed deadlines, but you do need to follow through with an explanation and a negotiation to take care of the issue. If you’re not sure how to start, contact a traffic lawyer to get help.

September 28, 2019 by Jeremy

Everything You Need to Know about Requesting an Australian Visa

Most people don’t know that even the shortest trips to Australia require a visa. When making plans on your trip to the Land Down Under, you should spare time to apply for the relevant visa and risk of ruining your trip. Thankfully, the process for requesting a visa for Australia is quite easy and can be done via websites like auvisa.org.  


General Visa Requirements

The visa requirements will vary based on the type of visa you are applying for. Here are some general requirements you must meet in order to qualify for an Australian visa:

• You must not have a major criminal conviction in which you served more than 1 year in jail.
• You must be free of tuberculosis.
• If you intend to work in the country, you must be able to communicate sufficiently in English.

The Different Types of Visas

1. Temporary Work Visa. This visa is available to people who intend to work part-time in Australia. It allows a maximum stay of 3 months.

2. Tourist Visa. If you intend to go to Australia to visit friends or just to enjoy a holiday, you can apply for the tourist visa. This one is valid for a year, but you can only stay for 3 months at a time. With the tourist visa, you will not be allowed to work in the country, even part-time.

3. Business Visa. The business visa has similar requirements as the tourist visa, and the terms are also the same. This visa is ideal for people who intend to travel to Australia for business conferences. With this visa, you will not be allowed to sell goods or services in Australia.

4. Student Visa. You have to be accepted in an educational institution in Australia before you can apply for this visa.

5. Maritime Crew Visa. The MCV visa is available to people entering Australia by sea, and they have to be part of a sea crew. This kind of visa is very specific and can be requested as well on auvisa.org under the MCV visa section.  

6. Work and Holiday Visa. This visa is only available to people who are between 18 and 30 years old. With this visa, you will be able to combine work, studies, and holiday in Australia. It is ideal for people who intend to supplement their holidays in Australia with some temporary work.

7. Long Stay Visa. If you want to extend your stay in Australia, you can apply for this visa. You should make your application for this visa if you are already in Australia on a visa that is about to expire. This visa will extend your stay for up to 12 months.

8. Second Working Holiday Visa. If you have previously received a working holiday visa, you can apply for the second working holiday visa. Individuals who are already working in Australia should apply for this visa before the first one expires.

Most Australian visas have to be obtained before you can enter the country. That means you have to sort out the visa long before your trip. You should consider applying for the visa in good time, for example soon after booking your flight, to make sure everything is in place before your departure.

September 20, 2019 by Jeremy

Best Clubs to Visit for a True Rock and Roll Men’s Night out in Madrid

Everyone knows how Madrid magnetizes millions of visitors with charming flamenco sound and exotic dance moves. Luckily, whether it’s more rock, pop, indie or funky, the capital offers a huge array of pubs, clubs, halls, or whatever you prefer to call to satisfy your musical preferences.

In this post, we will present to you rock and roll places where you should expect the real feeling of the genre with a bit of alternative and hardcore vibe when you travel to Madrid.

In order not to overwhelm you with information but not forget anything important. The list below consists of the most recommended rock and roll places in Madrid with considering factors such as the quality of the bands, acoustics of the premises, location or clientele, among others.

These places will be an ideal stop for every men’s night out in Madrid and not to mention all the possibilities for a rock and roll bachelor party.

Honky Tonk

I start with the bar more often trodden in my Madrid nightlifer. Frequently open from Monday through Saturday and every day they offer live music with double sessions on weekends. Tribute groups play mashups with national bangers. Although rock n ‘roll is the protagonist, pop, indie or funky always have a place in this legendary club.

This place also has two stages. The plant at street level is the right place to chat quietly listening mainly to the classics, while at the bottom is where everything is cooked concerts.

Entry price:  free

Location:  Chamberí – Bilbao

Bonsu Tip: Although you always find some spot here to stay, don’t be too late for the performances. Three large columns on the ground floor make it difficult to see the stage in some areas.

Thundercat

Within Thundercat walls, they have managed to create a powerful brand image that breathes rock n roll on all four sides. For everyone looking to hear the authentic crispy sound of classic tube amps with some dirty riffing through the night, there is hardly a better place than this one.

Initially, pictures of KISS, David Bowie, Jimmy Hendrix or The Doors adorned its walls under natural reddish lighting. Subsequently, the club made a quality leap with a beautiful integral reform with a distinctive leopard carpet.

Its week begins with great jam sessions on Thursdays and continues with two concerts on Friday and Saturday.

Once the live music ends at 02.00 AM, the bar finishes completing its capacity by organizing a respectable queue outside.

Entry price:  free – from € 3

Location:  Alonso Martínez

Bonus Tip: If you go to the show, stay at the bottom on the left, in the area closest to the stage. You will enjoy the excellent view in addition to the comfort of not having to move every time you want to have a snack.

The Monkey

Nestled in the outskirts of the Puerta de Toledo, The Monkey emerges as an alternative rock hotspot if you go around the La Latina area and want to continue banging your head. The club consists of an excellent open part, which makes it an appropriate space for live music.

But beyond the genuine bands that gather from Thursday to Friday, the club also offers attractive leisure proposals such as comic monologues, storytellers or poetry and live painting meetings.

Entry price:  free – from € 5

Location:  Puerta de Toledo

Bonus Tip: If this bar convinces you to come back more often, then take out your ‘Monkey Card.’ It is free, and they make you offers and discounts on drinks.

Moby Dick

Its quarter-century tradition endorses this place as one of the iconic concert halls in Madrid. In its careful and original industrial decoration, marine and nautical themes mix with electric guitars hanging on its walls.

While the three previous rock bars copy the agenda of each other, Moby Dick raises the bar in authenticity and program. In its programming, you will recognize prestigious artists that may well be in your Spotify or Apple Music collection.

Therefore, the prices of the tickets vary greatly. Besides, it is common to find theme parties, musical competitions, or comic performances.

Entry price: from € 6

Location:  Cuzco

Bonus Tip: It has a fast food cooking service. If you arrive in a hurry to a concert and you have not had time for dinner, for a reasonable price you have a Rock Menu.

Wurlitzer Ballroom

Open every day of the week, and its garage-style makes it the most alternative on the list. More than versions, its live performance sheet bets on original rock groups and all its variants. Therefore, you will see that the Wurlitzer is an ideal place to discover new bands of the national scene.

The sound quality in the club is more than acceptable, and the club is getting renovated at the moment. You should know that of the five proposed clubs in this list; this is the one with a younger clientele, more twenty years old rockers than thirty visit this place.

Entry price:  from € 5

Location:  Gran Vía

Bonus Tip:  If you decide to visit it on the weekend, we advise that you do it during concert hours. After 3.00 AM, you may be waiting for longer outside than in the club.

In Conclusion

Apart from these five, there are other fantastic places with live rock performances such as the Costello Club, La Boca del Lobo or La Fontana de Oro, among others.

All you have to do is grab yourself a beer with your pals and stroll around this beautiful city that may not be so famous for rock and roll, but undoubtedly present numerous opportunities to headbang all night like never before.

September 5, 2019 by Jeremy

Bacolod for the Budget Traveler: 4 Thrifty Ways to Enjoy the City of Smiles

Tourists heading for Bacolod with the expectation that it is a sleepy and underdeveloped city will find themselves in for a surprise; the capital of Negros Occidental is lively and thriving, highly urbanized and densely populated. It was named Best Place to Live in the Philippines by MoneySense magazine in 2008, and Top Philippine Model City by The Manila Times in 2017. 

The accolades alone make it a place worthy of a visit, though “highly urbanized” doesn’t mean that you’ll have to shell out a significant amount of money to enjoy yourself. Thrifty travelers will find Bacolod a budget-friendly holiday destination. Below are our tips for a worthwhile trip to the City of Smiles without breaking the bank: 

Stay in a Pension House

Instead of spending a good chunk of change on a hotel room, look towards pension houses instead. Many of them are centrally located at the heart of the city, and rooms typically won’t cost an arm and a leg. These affordable options are a great way to save on costs and keep within your budget; and though the on-site facilities and amenities are more basic than what you’d typically find in a full-fledged hotel, you still will be coming back to clean and comfortable rooms after a day of sightseeing. Ong Bun Pension House is one of our recommendations for no-frills accommodations that don’t skimp on quality service, though there are many other options in Bacolod City.

Dine at Manokan Country

Bacolod is famous throughout the country for 3 things: the vibrant Masskara Festival, held annually every October; the local sweet delicacy known as piaya, an unleavened piece of flatbread filled with muscovado sugar; and chicken inasal. You would do yourself a disservice if you didn’t have this local grilled favorite where it originated from, meaning that a visit to Manokan Country is a must for any trip to Bacolod. 

Manokan Country is the local government’s way of consolidating dozens of inasal stalls previously operating out on the sidewalks into a single complex, for public safety and to legitimize businesses. Each stall has a unique take on the dish, and there is heated debate on which stall makes the best inasal, but it’s safe to say that no matter which one you head into, you’ll be well fed. Begin the meal with a plateful of grilled oysters, a popular appetizer in Manokan Country, and then dig into your chicken—most stalls allow you to choose which part of the bird you’d like to dine on. 

For the complete experience, try isaw or atay, skewers of chicken intestine and liver basted with special seasonings and grilled over charcoal. Best of all, the food is cheap—plates typically cost less than a hundred pesos, exclusive of rice and drinks. 

Visit Mambukal Springs Resort

These hot sulfur springs are now under government management, making them one of the cheapest attractions in Bacolod, with a pay-per-use system of the facilities after a 50-peso entrance fee. Picnic huts are either 300 or 600 pesos depending on the size. Use of the swimming and warm sulfur dipping pools is 50 pesos. Zipline and canopy walk are both priced at 50 pesos. The resort was built by a Japanese man in 1927, which means that there is an ofuro or Japanese bathtub on the premises, as well as a bathhouse built in the neo-classical style that is over 90 years old. 

Use of both facilities start at a hundred pesos. Families and large groups can opt to stay on-site at one of the many accommodation options—there are family cottages and villas available for rent, as well as a tourist lodge. LGU cottages are by far the most cost-effective option, with available airconditioned rooms for couples, 4 persons, and 6 persons that start at 900 pesos. It is believed that a warm soak can relieve muscle tension and promote clear-headedness; the sulfur in the water is also known to have healing benefits for irritated and infected skin, such as in the case of eczema and rashes. 

See The Ruins

What was once an impressive mansion built in the Italianate style of architecture is now a tourist destination that draws hundreds of visitors every year. Built in the early 1900s by a wealthy sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his late first wife, only the façade remains standing today after Filipino guerrillas burned the structure down in order to prevent its use by the invading Japanese in the Second World War. 

Now privately owned by the Don’s great grandchildren, the grounds and gardens have since been restored and are fastidiously maintained, making it an excellent location for photos and video shoots. For an entrance fee of 100 pesos, you are free to explore the area, though you may also hire a tour guide to tell you more about the mansion’s history. 

Some of the most iconic dishes and sights one can find in Bacolod don’t come with a steep price. Here, you’ll find a lot of things to do, see, and taste without compromising your budget or the quality of your holiday.

August 13, 2019 by Jeremy

A Guide to Exploring the Thai Islands in 21 Days

If you’re in need of a beach getaway, there is nowhere else on Earth that compares to the Thailand. Whether you travel from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao to Koh Samui, spending time exploring the Thai islands is the best way to add a slice – or many slices – of paradise to your life. 

One of the biggest mistakes among the travelers of the world is not allocating enough time to the islands, so it is important to give yourself plenty of time to soak up the sun. Spending at least two weeks traveling around Thailand is a must, but three weeks is even better. After your 21-day journey island hopping around Thailand, there’s a good chance you won’t be ready to leave. 

Get Started in Bangkok

No matter where you intend on going, Bangkok is the ultimate starting point. It is highly recommended that you spend at least a day or two exploring the hustle and bustle of Bangkok before heading to the islands of the South. As the capital of the country, Bangkok serves as the mecca of Thai culture. 

Before soaking up the sand, surf, and salt, spend some time trying authentic Thai street food, browsing through night markets, and exploring the temples surrounding Bangkok. One of the biggest mistakes by travelers flying through Bangkok is not spending any time in the city. Sure, it’s hectic and might not be your cup of tea, but just give it a chance for a day or two. 

Head South to Phuket

There are a few options for getting from Bangkok to Phuket. The first is to fly, but the much better option is to travel by land. Of course, if you’re in a hurry to get to the southern Thai islands, taking the one hour flight is your best bet. However, you’ll be missing out on some gems that you can only experience by traveling over land. If you do choose to take a bus or train, make a side trip to the National Park called Kanchanaburi. 

Once in Phuket, you’ll quickly see why this is referred to as the Gateway to the Andaman Sea. If you’re lucky enough to book accommodations right on the water, you’ll be surrounded by azure waters morning, noon, and night. Although Phuket is touristy and hectic, it is a must-visit destination. 

The neighborhood you choose to stay will have a huge impact on your Phuket experience. For crazy nightlife and ladyboys on every corner, head to Patong. For something a bit more lowkey and less in your face, Kata Beach is a better choice.

Take a Ferry to Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi is known best for being home to the famous Maya Beach where Leo filmed his famous movie, The Beach. Although Maya Beach is currently closed to tourism, there is plenty more to keep you busy. Similar to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi is just as touristy and has a lot going on. However, the tiny size of this island means that you can walk around the entire thing. In fact, you’ll have to resort to getting around on foot since there are no motor vehicles on the Phi Phi Islands at all. 

Next, Head to Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is another fairly small island, but it is large enough to accommodate for cars and scooters. The vibe on Koh Lanta is entirely different than Phuket and Phi Phi. It is way more laid back here, so it’s easy to take a break from partying during your time on this island. Check out Hey Hostel if you’re hoping to stay right on the beach and in need of some social vibes. 

From Koh Lanta, Head to the Gulf

If you have the time, make a trip to the island of Koh Lipe and then spend some time in Krabi’s Railay Beach. If not, it’s time to head directly to the Gulf of Thailand from Koh Lanta. The most famous Gulf islands include Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. Koh Tao is a diver’s paradise, so be sure to check this little island out if you have SCUBA on the brain. 

Koh Phangan is home to the infamous full moon parties, so plan your trip accordingly so that you’re on the island during the full moon. Koh Samui is a less popular area, but it’s a great place if you’re hoping to chill and get away from all the partying. There is also an airport in Koh Samui where you’ll be able to catch a flight to Bangkok before heading back home. 

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