I have always had a passion for trains and train travel. Over the years, I’ve ridden trains in 76 of the 90 countries I’ve visited, from Finland to Morocco to the USA, Chile, and New Zealand. A few years ago, I made it my mission to ride every rail line in Thailand, leading to incredible adventures—from bustling Bangkok to cities like Chiang Mai, and serene rural stations. However, the southernmost railway line had eluded me for a long time. This line connects the border town of Sungai Kolok to one of the most isolated cities…
Trip Reports
Category Archives for Trip Reports.
Malaysia’s Jungle Railway: From the Heart of the Country to the Sea
The Jungle Line (Malaysian East Coast Railway) was one of the most stunning and enjoyable train rides ever! Time flew by, and I got off the train feeling like I had completed an adventure. Summary Yesterday, I outlined how to ride Malaysia’s rail system. The country has two main rail corridors, in addition to the rail network around Kuala Lumpur.The first, the West Coast railway (red line), connects most major Malaysian cities along the country’s western side. The other is the far less busy, much more remote “East Coast Railway” (blue line), which connects the…
Flying Batik Air for the First Time: What You Need to Know
I have been avoiding Batik Air for a long time, but I finally decided to try them. This review reflects my first experience with Batik Air, an airline that enjoys many negative Trip Advisor reviews. Summary Rating: 61%Route: Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, 667 km, 1 hour 16 minuteAirline: Batik Air is a member of the Lion Air Group of Indonesia, comprising Batik Air Indonesia, Super Air Jet, Lion Air, Wings Air, Biz Jet and Thai Lion Air. Batik is a Malaysian hybrid full-service carrier and flies to several Southeast Asian destinations, founded in 2013 as…
2024 Recapped: Best and Worst Airports in the World
Over the last week, I have reviewed my 2024 destinations and rated the best and worst airlines. Today, I want to focus on the best and worst airports after flying to or from 65 airports in 2024 and 289 in my lifetime. Whether you’re starting your journey or connecting at an airport, several factors can significantly shape your experience. Are you a regular flyer, a new flyer, or an occasional traveller? Do you prefer driving to the airport and parking or other transport options? How much time do you need to spend at the airport,…
My 2024 Around the World – now 90 Countries
Happy New Year! Where did you explore/enjoy/experience in 2024? I had a phenomenal 2024, visiting 28 countries throughout the year, including five new ones. This brings the total number of countries I have ever visited to 90. I also explored 15 new cities, and flew my 100th Boeing 747! From ancient ruins to vibrant festivals and serene lakes to bustling markets, my journeys spanned a massive range. Here’s a look back at my top 20 travel experiences and some fascinating stats to wrap up the year. My Top 20 Travel Experiences for 2024 2. Enjoyed…
Flight Report 100: Lufthansa MEX-FRA and my first 747-8
I think everyone’s favourite aircraft is still the Jumbo Jet, the 747, which was introduced in 1970 by Boeing. It revolutionised air travel. It looked beautiful and enhanced the romance and excitement of air travel. Am I right? It has been my firm favourite since I first boarded it as a child for a journey from Hong Kong to Sydney with the first user of the 747: Pan Am.(Photo by Eduard Marmet from Wikipedia) Fast-forward 53 years, and today only three airlines regularly fly the 747 as a passenger aircraft: Air China, Korean Air, and…
Navigating Avianca: Good, Bad, and Ugly on Six Flights
As a seasoned frequent flyer with 1565 flights under my belt, I’ve flown with almost every major airline across the globe. Of thesem I have flown with every member of the OneWorld alliance, and with 20 of Star Alliance’s 26 members and 10 of the 19 Sky Team members. I have set my sights on completing the Star Alliance roster and added Star Alliance members Austrian, Aegean and Croatian to my collection this year. My recent Star Alliance addition was six journeys with Colombia’s flagship carrier, Avianca. The Verdict: Bankruptcy and Back Established in 1919,…
Flat Earth Challenge on the remotest flight: Qantas Business Class Non Stop from Sydney to Santiago
Several months ago, I secured a Qantas frequent flier seat up front in business class on @qantas Sydney to Santiago Qantas service. The flight uses a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the 12-14 hour journey. I redeemed 108,000 Qantas points and paid $300 in taxes for a business flight worth between $2500 and $2800! Before I even set foot on Qantas Flight 27, I googled for flight reports and was stunned to come across a whole cross-section of humanity that didn’t believe this flight exists. Some even went so far as to claim that Qantas was…
Riding the Big Trains: Sensational Rail Journeys Through Wales/ Cymru
I have now completed travel across (almost) the entire Welsh mainline railway network. Every line through almost every station! Now I am working my way through the nation’s Heritage trains! Even as a dedicated train enthusiast, I find navigating Wales/Cymru’s railway network more confusing and frustrating than it should be. But through all the challenges and surprises, I’ve learnt to untangle the mysteries of Welsh rail travel. Here’s what I’ve learned: Major Welsh Train Routes You can essentially divide the railway system of Wales/Cymru into nine distinct routes. Here is a summary with more detailed…
The Magic of Aviation: Re-Connecting with my BOAC Boeing 707
In 1971, I flew on a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Boeing 707 from the Middle East to Hong Kong. This flight left a lasting impression on me, and it was an unforgettable experience. Little did I know that 53 years later, I’d reconnect with this plane at the National Museum of Flight in Scotland today. I had already notched up more flights than the average child of the 1960s. Having spent my childhood in Australia, Africa, The Middle East, and the UK, we criss-crossed continents by ship, plane, and train, hence my multiple flight…
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