Whenever and wherever, I am travelling, I always try and squeeze a market in. Just enjoyed a beautiful sunset which accompanies the Dry Season Mindil Markets in the Northern Australian City of Darwin. The setting of these markets has to be one of the most spectacular in the world! There is almost every type of Asian food available, along with exotic meats like camel burgers and croc steak sandwiches, frozen bananas and local mushrooms! Lots of Aussie trouristy type stuff including didgeridoos, crocodile leather purses and wallets, stock whips and local jewellery. Tonight was the first market…
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Hip Hua Hin – Place Report
Few tourists to Thailand include Hua Hin on their agenda which is a shame. At the risk of spoiling the town with a sudden over run of tourists, this beautiful relaxing town 200 km (120 miles) south of Bangkok is well worth at least a couple of days. Far from the “excitement” of Phuek nightlife and Bangkok, Hua Hin has been enjoyed by generations of Thais for weekends and vacations. Originally known as Samore Riang or “rows of rocks”, it was adopted by the Royal Family as their seaside resort in the 1920s. Today, it is very popular amongst Thais who come…
Bangkok Airport- Are people this stupid?
Continuing with my Thailand theme, I found the new program Bangkok Airport to be both compelling and repelling! Here is the trailer: A BBC TV series, this show seems to find the dumbest people who have ever travelled and matched them with the most horrifically funny airport staff. I could not work out whether to cringe, laugh or cry. Sadly, having been through Bangkok airport 37 times, some of the passengers exhibit behaviours I fear I have seen!\ This is the second reality TV show which is focussing on Thailand. The other was Embassy which focussed on Australians in…
Not Smiling with Thai Smile
Thailand has a number of low cost carriers (Orient Thai, Lion Air, Air Asia) plus two popular “Premium Low Cost” airlines: Bangkok Airways and Nok Air, both of whom I have flown in the last year. In 2011, THAI Airways board began THAI Smile to compete in this market. The name came from a competition with 2,229 entries. For this flight, I was keen to discover the distinguishing marks of Thai Smile? Is the brand distinctive? Booking: 8/10 THAI Smile flies to about 13 domestic and one international destinations and is reportedly planning to expand international services. Confusingly THAI Smile use both…
Place Review: Phuket
There are a few destinations in the world that immediately spell party. These include: Bali, Ibiza, Miami and Porto Heli (Greece). The list also needs to include the small southern Thai island of Phuket which is invaded by 14 million tourists every year. They come to get massaged, swim, snorkel, eat, drink and dance. Many do not know why they go to Phuket, just lured by its reputation as a fun place. I first came to Phuket just after the 2004 Tsunami had ripped through. It did not capture my heart! I came back this week to…
Unique Nok Air – Trip Report
Today, I was one of three “farangs” (foreigners) on a Nok Air 737 completely full of Thai people travelling from Bangkok, Thailand to Phuket. I could not work out if this was a random coincidence or do most foreigners not choose Nok? Me? I have wanted to fly the bright yellow Thai “Premium Budget” carrier for some time and today’s flight gave me that opportunity! Nok is the 90th airline I have travelled with since I started flying in 1968! Nok means bird in Thai. They are largely a domestic operation with an international flight to Myanmar. Booking:…
My Top Travel Tips of 2014
I love sharing things that I find make my travel faster, easier, more enjoyable, safer and cheaper. My ultimate aim is to let my travel serve me not the other way around! In 2014, readers liked the following Travel Tips posts the most: Travel insurance Rocks! The Man in Seat 61 – the best guide to riding trains across the globe -ever Seven Things not to pack – which generated some controversy with heaps of comments! What to do with left over foreign coins? Some very helpful comments here Don’t carry a Money Belt-my other controversial…
Boeing delivers 200th 787
I have yet to ride in a 787 and there are now 200 flying! This week on 28th October, 2014., Boeing delivered the 200th 787 to Qatar airways. (Registration# A7-BCP) at Paine field airport, Everett. The 100th was delivered on 4th November 4th, 2013 to Japan Airlines. It seems that 21 airlines now fly the 787: Aeromexico (AM) Air Canada (AC) Air India (AI) Arkefly (OR) (Netherlands) All Nippon Airways British Airways (BA) China Southern (CZ) Ethiopian Airlines ( Hainan Airlines ( Japan Airlines (JL) Jetairfly (TB) (Belgium) Jetstar Airways (JQ) Kenya Airways (KQ) LAN Airlines (LA)…
Don’t carry a Money Belt
It seems it is almost compulsory for a tourist on their first overseas trip, to carry a money belt. Every travel goods shop will tell you that you have to have one. I don’t do it! I tried for a few trips. I wore the one around my neck and the one around my waist. With relief, I abandoned the practice for the following reasons: 1. Nothing spells “Target” more than a money belt. I try to look like I belong wherever I visit and money belts blow that! Thieves can see them, shopkeepers see…
Get to Know your currency
After being to 59 countries, I have now used 62 currencies (yes some countries have changed currencies). If I could have my way, the world would only have ten currencies (two per continent!). Easier to remember and less to carry! The reality is we have 180 currencies circulating amongst the 193 UN recognised nations from roubles, to lek to shekels, pesos and birr. On my next trip starting Thursday, I will be using: Malaysian Ringits Danish Krone British Pounds Euros Thai Baht Australian dollars They can all become confusing to people. Even with a currency…
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