“I did Europe this week”. Please stop saying this!!

I need to get this off my chest. Please bear with me! Its a small travel tip! Europe has 50 countries and six dependent territories. The smallest country is Vatican City with an area of  just 0.44 sq km! The largest is Russia with 3,972,400 sq km in Europe. 743 million people live in Europe, more than double the population of the USA. Yet I continue to hear a phrase that drives me crazy: “Last vacation we did Europe” or  “last week we did Europe” or on “the weekend we did France” or “On Tuesday we did…

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Now riding 900+ miles on rail through Asia

Currently riding the rails from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok about 1,500 km (930 or so miles) through Malaysia and Thailand. This is about the same distance from Boston to Atlanta or almost as far as Melbourne to Brisbane in Australia or Paris to Warsaw in Europe. A few years ago,  I travelled from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train. Sadly, the line into the heart of Singapore is no more. The Singaporean government closed it it 2011 after almost 80 years of operation. It has been one of my dreams to do the next stage from…

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Emirates New Safety Video

This is the month of new safety videos. Emirates are using a cut through of their A380 to illustrate the safety procedures across the giant plane. I think it works, however. What do you think? Related Posts 5* Emirates Business: Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur Trip Review: Emirates- comparing the A380 Qantas Brilliant New Safety Video unpacked – Aussies may need a hanky Oman’s new safety video Vs Qantas: Imitation the greatest form of flattery

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Qantas Brilliant New Safety Video unpacked – Aussies may need a hanky

Safety videos.. love ’em or hate em?  Airlines have worked on different ways to get our attention for the crucial minutes of the safety briefing. Qantas last year launched a new video featuring real Australians sharing real activities and scenes from Australia. I loved last year’s video which I saw 40 times (yes I have that info recorded!). Apparently another 35 million people also watched this safety video aboard Qantas planes through 2016. Today February 1, 2017, sees the launch of the Qantas Safety Video 2017! I have been fortunate enough to have visited 14  of the 16…

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Small plane, Big Service to Amman: Royal Jordanian’s Economy

DOH: Dohar, Qatar  to AMM: Amman, Jordan RJ647  Embraer 175 Scheduled Departure: 12:30  Arrival: 14:25 2 hour 55 min flight Total distance: 1,047 miles / 1,671 km / 902 nautical miles Booking: 8/10 On this sector, it was a toss up between Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian. I figured it was time for a revisit with RJ as I have had more Qatar flights in recent days. While I believe, QR are the superior airline, RJ have a very solid, pleasant product. RJ’s website has been updated since I last used it. The improvements look visually good. The initial booking page…

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Airline responses to US Visa freeze

Major airlines appear to be responding with flexibility at the current banning of the citizens of seven countries from entering the USA.If you know people affected they can contact their airline:- Air Canada: waiving change fees and allowing refunds Air New Zealand: Any customer currently booked to travel with Air New Zealand who finds that their travel is impacted should contact them directly to discuss options American Airlines: if your travel is impacted by this regulation, contact Reservations. British Airways: is offering refunds or rebooking options for US travel Delta: “will make every effort to contact…

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The Trump Travel Bans – My Reaction

Update One: British dual nationals have now been exempted from the banning Update Two: People who have already been given permission to be in the USA may return there.  This is blog about travel and not politics and I try not to cross boundaries. The events of this week have so shocked me, I need to make comment. I have been to New York many times and stared at the words on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming…

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Air Asia to fly to the USA -UGH

Air Asia was once so bankrupt that when CEO Tony Fernandes bought it, he got it for pocket change. It cost him, just over one US quarter in 2009! Mr Fenendaz has worked hard to re-invent the company so it is now one of the largest low-cost carriers in the world with 176 planes (mostly Airbus 320s with some Airbus 330s for long haul) and 168 destinations. AirAsia has been named as the world’s best low-cost carrier for eight years in a row including in the year 2016. Now, the company has announced it has FAA permission to fly…

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The world’s best airline: Qatar Airways Economy Dubai to Doha

DXB, Dubai International, UAE to DOH Doha Hamad International Airport  Qatar: Qatar Airways  QR1025 Scheduled Departure: 09:30  Arrival: 09:40 1hour 10 (In reality, a 40 min flight) Total distance: 235 miles /383 kilometres/ 207 nautical miles   Since I first started flying Qatar Airways five years ago, they have never let me down. Consistently high service with leading edge on everything. I often wonder if on my next trip with them, I will be disappointed. Has not happened yet! Today, a review on my shortest flight ever with them! Was curious to see if they keep their standards up!…

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Make Your Travel Better in 2017- My Seven key tips

“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! I am obviously a big fan of travel and encourage people to just go explore the world and meet the people of their destinations. My aim is to create friendships and relationships across borders, see the world and grow personally. I do this by combining days off with leave, public holidays and unpaid leave to maximise the opportunities. Work Hard. Play Hard is definitely my motto! Too many people do…

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