On 1 March, I shared a post called “Flying via the Middle East right now.” At that time, we were dealing with sudden airspace closures, missile threats, flight suspensions, and travelers stuck in airport terminals. Since then, things have only become more complicated and difficult as the conflict has worsened. Do Not Travel to or through the Gulf Most countries have issued warnings or advisories against travelling to the Gulf region. For some, such as the USA, the advice is to leave. For others, such as Australia, the advice is to avoid travelling to or…
Uncategorized
Category Archives for Uncategorized.
Flying via the Middle East right now. Practical tips, not panic, for travellers.
Are you about to fly internationally? With a Middle Eastern airline or to, through or over the Middle East? Many airlines and transit hubs are affected, with flights paused, rerouted or heavily delayed across the region. Before flying Insurance Flights and tickets Accommodation and other bookings None of us should have to factor war into our travel plans, and it is heartbreaking that so many people are living this every day. I’m sharing this not to scare anyone, but to help you make informed, safer choices. Here’s hoping that soon we will be talking about…
Johannesburg: First encounter with the City of Gold
Firstly, three fascinating facts about Johannesburg for your next Trivia Pursuit Competition: I flew to Johannesburg expecting not to like it, but there is something about its youthfulness, energy, hustling, humour and beauty that got to me. I rate all the cities I have visited or lived in, and Johannesburg ranked 52nd among my 306 cities.1 I feel similarly about a diverse mix of cities, including Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne, Portland (Maine) and Santa Fe in the USA, Tangier in Morocco, and Yala in Thailand. Birth of the city To make sense of today’s…
8 Fantastic Train Trips That Made My 2025 Unforgettable
Trains, for me, are one of the most interesting, practical and romantic ways to get around the planet, and I love them more than I love planes (and I love planes a lot). I have ridden railways now on every inhabited continent, and in 202,5 I added these eight beauties: #1. Flåm Railway, Norway “the best train ride in the world” (Lonely Planet) I captured 161 photos on one of the most beautiful train journeys I have ever taken. The line climbs 864 metres from the Fjord to the mountain, twisting through 20 tunnels, including…
My Lifetime Of Ultra-Long-Haul Travel- and what’s next?
What’s your longest flight ever, in hours and distance? It always bemuses me when colleagues complain about a “long haul” six-hour flight. With close to half of my flights originating out of Australia, six hours is only getting started! Out of the 1730 flights in my life, I have now racked up 203 “long haul” (over 8 hours) flights, of which 72 were over 12 hours long as seen below: My longest flight was an epic 18 hours and 8 minutes earlier this year, on the world’s longest scheduled commercial flight: Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flight…
Riding the Spectacular Flåm Railway
I’ve been sorting my 161 photos of “one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.” National Geographic Traveller magazine called the Flåm Railway one of the top 10 train journeys in Europe. Lonely Planet went even further, naming it the best train journey in the world. The famous Flåm Railway, the world’s steepest non-cog railway, climbs 864 metres over 20 km from the fjord-side town of Flåm to Myrdal, 866 metres above sea level, which is perched in a remote mountain pass with no road access. Max gradient at 5.5% (1:18). Top speed of 40…
80 Years Later: Why we must remember the Holocaust
Today, 27 January, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. This day is now recognised as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. I have now visited three Nazi-era concentration camps: Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg (1936–1945), Auschwitz (1940–1945), and Dachau (1933–1945). Each visit left me with different emotions, but Dachau (pic below), in particular, was the most emotional for me. The Holocaust resulted in the genocide of six million Jewish people, along with countless others from marginalised groups, including Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses,…
Goodbye Rex, the latest Fall of a Notable Australian Airlines- here’s the Aussie failure list!
Regional Express Airlines (REX) is now insolvent and has entered voluntary administration after a disastrous attempt to compete with Qantas and Virgin Australia. If you are a ticket holder on their intercity routes, you are best advised to contact Virgin Australia (13 6789), who are accommodating REX passengers. It is possible that Virgin might end up taking over REX completely, absorbing their regional flights, or entering into a close partnership. It is rare for an airline to succeed anywhere in the world, and especially so in Australia. It is sobering to think that almost every…
Stranded? What To Do When Your Airline Collapses
Question: “How do you create a small airline?” Answer: “Buy a big one and wait for a couple of years.” (Source: Pixabay ) If you or a friend or family member are ever affected by the collapse of an airline, here’s what you need to do: 1. Find All Documentation: Keep a record of all your communications, booking details, and any expenses incurred. This is crucial for insurance claims and other legal actions. 2. Check for Official Announcements: Visit the airline’s website or social media platforms for information on the collapse. Don’t call; it’s usually…
The World’s Most Unsafe Airlines
I wrote recently about the safest airlines in the world according to Airline Ratings. My attention was drawn to the most unsafe airlines. Airline Ratings does not officially release a list of the least safe airlines. Numerous airlines have received one-star ratings, however, and those at the bottom of the one-star list are as follows: The flag carrier of Algeria, Air Algerie, has had a number of serious incidents. They at least get 3.5 out of 7 for customer service, which is more than many of their one-star compatriots. Customers are scathing: “travelling to Algeria…
Recent Comments