Last year’s travel adventures took me to 26 countries- including two new ones: Estonia and Russia. I have now lived in or visited 78 countries- most of which still exist. My travel distance by bus, train, ferry and plane was the equivalent of traveling around the globe six times. Where did you get to in 2019? I had some amazing Highlights: Meandering around marvelous Malacca/Melaka- thoroughly enjoyed this historic Malaysian city, the food, atmosphere and people. Stunning couple of weeks in Austria including a hike in the lower alps. Rambling around Ljubljana, the charming capital…
My Musings (Sundays)
Category Archives for My Musings (Sundays).
Eighty Times around the World
Jules Verne’s character Phileas Fogg traveled by steamer, train, elephant and horse around the world to demonstrate it was possible to do so. It took eighty days. Today, I completed my 80th navigation of the globe. This is a touch over two million miles (3.2 million kilometres), a feat which has taken me just over half a century of flying. This is what it looks like: I have flown to 62 of the 80 countries, I have visited. The rest I have reached by bus, train, car and in one case foot. Importantly, my travels…
2019 End of Year RTW Trip- lets go!
This is my Christmas-New Year Round the World trip. Flying out this week for an intensive few weeks. Five European Cities, five Asian cities, four in the Americas with an Australian start and finish. I would love some suggestions for Tallin (never been) and Berlin which I have not been to for five years. Christmas markets, two weddings and lots of catch ups with friends will be all part of the experience. I go from 37 degrees Celsius (99F) to minus four (25F) so packing all in one carry on bag is always a challenge.…
Romantic Hoi An
Just spent a lovely weekend in what I believe to be Asia’s most romantic city. The name translates as “peaceful meeting place”. Hội An started as a trading port in about 1595. The city became the most important trade port on the East Vietnam Sea during the 16th and 17th centuries. It declined in the 18th century and was almost untouched for almost 200 years. In 1999 the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has become more and more popular. Last year, six million people visited the city which has…
And Russia makes 77
I am filling in my globe with all of the countries, territories and regions I have visited. With the addition of Russia this week, I have made it to 77 countries. I only count a country if I have left the airport. So while, I have transited through Doha and Johannesburg airports, I do not include Qatar and South South Africa in my tally. I have been to about two thirds of the countries in both Asia and Europe and exactly half of all the nations in the Oceania region of the planet. African exploration…
I have now flown every One World member airline.
I wonder how many people have flown every one of the 13 One World alliance member airlines? After four flights across Russia with Siberia Airlines S7, I can now claim this milestone. In a previous post, I noted that I have also travelled on Air Berlin and Malev, two One World members that have now closed down. I also flew Aer Lingus prior to it leaving the alliance in 2007. Hoping that I get a certificate?! (I think not!). I have traveled in Economy (Coach) and Business with every current One World carrier with a…
Exciting travel times ahead!
We are now half way through the year! It has been a very busy full on year, for me! So far, in 2019, I have traveled to 19 cities in nine countries on eleven airlines, a couple of rail companies and bus companies. How about you? Where has the year taken you? Loved Auckland and Alice Springs, was fascinated by Beijing, chilled out in Chiang Mai (below) and walked myself silly in Hong Kong (above)! Ran at dawn in 90 degrees F (32 C) to raise funds for defibrillators, slept out all night at a…
Who has flown every One World Carrier?
I am curious to know how many people have flown at least one flight with every one of the 13 member carriers of the One World Airline alliance? There cannot be many fliers who have can claim to have checked off every One World Airline. As of now, I have now traveled with every One World airline except for S7. This alliance has taken me 37 times around the world, a a total of 1.5 million kilometres (968,000 miles). Altogether, that has been aboard 582 flights. From Hobart to Helsinki and Hawaii to Hong Kong…
Eva vs Austrian Premium Economy Dilemma!
Found a great airfare between Europe and Austria with Eva, the Taiwanese five star airline for a seat in Premium Economy. Ticks a few boxes. Great value for money, a five star airline, a new carrier for me and Star Alliance for points earning. Oh and a cool looking amenity kit! I was close to booking this fare, when another Star Alliance carrier’s Premium Economy product popped up. This time it was Austrian for a price point much lower than Eva’s. They use older planes (often on a 767 – which I love). I hear…
Sri Lanka Easter Horror
I was going to write a positive post wishing everyone who celebrates it a “Happy Easter” but this morning’s news from Sri Lanka of over 200 killed at three churches and three five star hotels experienced bomb attacks shook me. Six bombs all went off at around 845am local time. Three suicide bombers have been reported as being involved, so far. No claim of the cause and no motives as yet. Explosions were reported at: St Anthony’s, an historic shrine in Kochchikade, a district of Colombo. St Sebastian’s Katuwapitiya in Negombo, a town 10km from…
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