Last year, I spent almost two weeks of the 366 days in the air with 29 different airlines. My 99 flights covered 124,000 miles (ca. 200,000 km), taking me to 65 airports across 28 countries. Some trips were memorable for their exceptional service that was so good, I (almost) didn’t want to get off the plane. Others highlighted air travel “challenges”. In my life, I have now logged 3.8 million kilometres in the air (2.4 million miles) with 128 airlines. As I have logged everything, including a rating of every airline, flight, and aircraft I…
Planning, Packing, and Exploring: My 7 Tips for Better Travel
As I reflect on 2024, these are the key observations and learnings I have picked up: 1. Prioritising “Real” Experiences Seek both iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Sure, visiting iconic places like the Acropolis or Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing is a must, but it is so for 1,000,000 other people. Be prepared for that and track down opportunities that might not be featured in the top ten visit spots on Instagram. Discovering hidden gems like Colombia’s San Antonio Church or Croatia’s Maksimir Park added depth and richness to my journeys. My goal is to see a…
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…
Get me out of here: Guatemala City: Where History and Gangs Collide
Founded in 1776 on the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Kaminaljuyu, Ciudad de Guatemala (Guatemala City) was established as the new capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala after a series of devastating earthquakes destroyed the former capital, Antigua Guatemala. It has been capital of a fully independent Guatemala since 1847. The country of Guatemala is bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the east. Guatemala City is located in the southern part of the country within the Valle de la Ermita…
Panama’s Special Bocas del Toro- another world
The Bocas del Toro archipelago, is an enchanting group of islands approximately 35 km off Panama’s Caribbean coast, located at latitude 9.35° N and longitude 82.25° W. The archipelago consists of nine major islands and over 200 smaller cays and islets Summary Getting There by Air To reach this idyllic destination, most visitors fly into Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport (BOC), also known as José Ezequiel Hall International Airport. Air Panama and Flytrip offer direct flights from Panama City (Allbrook Airport) and SANSA from San Jose, Costa Rica. Getting There by Ferry and…
A Love Letter to the Queen of the Skies: The Boeing 747
Beginnings of a Love In 1971, I celebrated a childhood birthday in Hong Kong. It was a time of many firsts—my first time in Hong Kong, which then seemed so mysterious with Chinese signs, British police officers, and fingers flying over abacuses in small street side stores. My birthday cake came from Maxims (those who know Hong Kong know Maxims, the quintessential bakery). My parents bought me a toy 747 with flashing lights and moving wings from a toy store, and then we boarded my first flight on a 747. Symbolically, it was with Pan…
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…
Cali’s Magic: From Historic Streets to Salsa Beats
Overview This year, I decided to spend some time in Colombia, South America, making this the 85th country I’ve visited. As I embarked the Avianca plane in Bogotá to travel to the city of Cali, I racked my brain trying to work out why I was going there?!. Cali isn’t globally known as a standout tourist destination. I’ve never met anyone who had been there! It doesn’t make the news. Few people could find it on a map. That’s never stopped me before, though, as I’ve been to hundreds of places off the beaten track,…
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,…
Bogotá: Bold, Beautiful and Boggling Contrasts
Founded in 1538 by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, Bogotá has evolved from a small colonial town into the political, cultural, and economic heart of Colombia. Spanning 1,775 square kilometers (686 square miles), it’s similar in size to Houston and slightly larger than Delhi and São Paulo. The city’s population is estimated to be between 8 and 11 million, which is comparable to New York and Bangkok. Bogotá is divided into 20 localities, each with its own character, featuring a blend of modern skyscrapers, low-rise buildings, and historic edifices. I barely scratched the surface…
Recent Comments