There is a massive amount of choice between Bangkok and Singapore with at least eleven airlines competing for passengers. I the midst of the clamour, the Cathay pacific option provides a nice calming option. The timing is really nice with an 11:50am departure giving one time to check out of the hotel at a civilised time and get to the airport after morning peak. Arrival into Singapore at 3:20pm gets you to your hotel just before the evening rush in Singapore, allows a check in and shower and then a chance to go for a walk,…
Testing the Best Booking Engines for International Travel
Two weeks ago, Frommers announced the results of testing airfare booking sites. Frommer’s tested sites on last-minute flights which left within 72 hours) and APEX fares which are booked six weeks out. They used major routeings such as New York to Los Angeles and secondary ones such as Philadelphia to Rome. They also had some interesting routeings such as Denver to Delhi and London to Barcelona. Their weighted scoring system included negative points for finding the worst fares on each leg. The final ranking of ten sites roughly correlated with my experiences. Over the last six to twelve months,…
Riding the Famous Thai Market Train – how You can do it!
Have you see pictures or videos of that train which goes through a Thailand’s Maeklong market? As the trains pass through, the market stands are packed up and then re -opened. I have been determined to visit the market for some time. Now I have done it! Location and Orientation The market is a genuine working market located in Mae Klong which is just 70km (40 miles) from Bangkok. The town has a very relaxed feel. There are just four trains a day through the market in each direction (eight trips in total) so you…
Watching the Destruction of Pompei
What is it with my fascination with disasters? For example, I watch Air Crash Investigations the night before going on a long flight! Many of us have been to contemporary Italy and seen the remains of Pompe. I just discovered this time lapse video of 21st August 79, the day Vesuvius erupted and wiped out the town. It is a very clever and gripping re-creation. Have you experienced a volcanic eruption? The Verdict: Slightly Wonderful Each week, I scour the internet for something weird or wonderful that has happened in travel land. if you…
Etihad Business Cairo to Bangkok summed up in one word: Inconsistent
Today’s review of Etihad’s ride from Cairo to Bangkok through their hub in Abu Dhabi is a perfect example of how I find Etihad’s product can be so inconsistent. When their service is good, it is excellent. When it is bad, it is average! Booking: 10/10 There are a vast array of airlines and flight options from Cairo to Bangkok. Cairo is a very cheap hub in the Middle East for originating flights. In fact, it was cheaper for me to fly from Dubai to Cairo and then fly onto Bangkok back through the UAE than…
Be Careful with Your Hands – When your innocent Hand Gestures might be Rude (NB Rude Images)
We use our hands all the time to point, wave and express our feelings. It has been a source of amusement that what is okay in some cultures can be an offensive gesture in another. The first time I went to Disneyworld, one of my friends excitedly told me about the way Disney employees are trained to point. They are not allowed to point with one finger. One reason is that it is easier for kids to see when you pointing with two fingers and another is that in some cultures pointing with one finger…
Qantas Gold for Life- After 20 years
A minor monumental moment happened this week for me, when Qantas shifted me from Lifetime Silver to Lifetime Gold in recognition of the 385 flights and 562,430 miles flown with them since I joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme 20 years ago in 1997. (Plus the few hundred thousand miles on partner carriers such as American, British and Cathay Pacific). Lifetime Gold is the equivalent of One World Sapphire. I am pretty excited by being a Gold member for life. It means that while I am alive and Qantas is in business and they do not change the rules (important…
Europe’s LCC Wizz is 14 -plans to keep on Wizzing!
I have been fascinated with Wizzair for over a decade. They have been aiming for dominance of European skies from their Hungarian base. Celebrating their 14th birthday this month, they now operate 80 aircraft from 19 bases in ten countries across Central and Eastern Europe flying to a massive 140 cities in 50 countries. They have now flown 100 million people. For most of its history, Wizzair reportedly lost money. So much so that in 2009, they were voted by Bookmaker Paddy Power as the next airline likely to go bust. Interesting that both airlines Wizz were…
Altialia – The Eternal Airline?
They call Rome, the eternal city. The airline that flies there must be the same. Every time we think Alitalia is about to go, it has been reprieved. In 2013 I thought they were finally doomed but they kept on flying. It has come at a high cost and with a huge amount of support. Over the last decade, Alitalia as received seven billion euros worth of support. In 2008 the Italian government and a group of Italian companies rescued the carrier. Then in 2014, Etihad bought a 49% stake and attempted to work with the company…
Heavenly HELsinki – Eighth Best City in the world!
I have just paid my first visit to Finland (my 68th country) and to its compact but option packed capital. Definitely felt at home, after a very short time. Verdict Regular readers will know, I rate every airline and every city I encounter.Helsinki was easy to rate! My Overall Rating: 85.6% Ranking out of my top 200 Cities: 8th place- Narrowly behind Wellington (New Zealand) which has a very similar look and feel to Helsinki The Economist Ranking: 9th Most livable city Why it should be visited: Stunning architecture, easy to get around, brilliant museums, great art, food…
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