Category Archives: General Travel
Thanks Visa International!
I have been on so many different holidays over the years, and never had a “card” problem, so I guess in hindsight, I was about due. Any ways, this is what happened!
Unbeknown to us, our Bank decided to change the credit card promotion we were on, as the reward program Visa we had was no longer a current offer, and they were obviously trying to wind up a cost centre. So, they sent us in the mail new cards, on the banks current frequent flyer Visa card. As this was a new program, our credit card numbers changed. The bank did a redirect on our old card, for a month after they issued the new ones.
Of course, we are overseas at the time, on a 3 month holiday, so we don’t receive this mail.
On our last day in Kathmandu, about an hour before we need to leave for the airport to catch our flight to New Delhi, we try to pay our hotel bill, and, alas, the card is declined. In a panic, we rush off and fire up the laptop thinking we need to transfer money, but balance is all OK?
These guys dont take credit card anyway!
So we ring our bank, from our hotel room. $100 later, we finally get to speak to a customer service representative, who advises us that , yes, our card has been changed to a new, better one. Great, we said sarcastically, but we still need to use the old one. Sorry, nothing we can do about that, call Visa international on blah blah number if you want an emergency card, have a nice day. Thanks for nothing National Australia Bank!
So we called Visa International, and were very relieved to find we didn’t have to wait in a Queue. Fantastic when you are calling from a payphone in Kathmandu!
They were keen to help, and offered us both an emergency card, as well as emergency cash! Fantastic, how long will that take?we asked. and how do we pay for our room bill, due in 10 minutes?
Fortunately, they were able to advise us the new visa card number, and we were able to pay the Kathmandu hotel with them inputting the number manually. Next problem was were to send emergency cash and card to, as we were flying out within hours. Unfortunately we were unable to advise where to send it all to, so they gave us a reference number, and a toll free phone number to call back on, once we got to a destination we were going to stay at for a couple of days.
We then flew to New Delhi, only overnighted there, and then on to Goa. This caused us to not be able to reach Visa again for two days, just because of flight times (early, late etc). When we reached a hotel in Goa, we called them again, quickly got through, quoted our reference number, and got immediate offer of help. This was 4pm so it would be too late to get cash that day, they would organise for the next day (that turned out was election day in Southern India, so banks were not open). The nearest affiliated bank to Visa international, was at Margao, approx 1 hour from where we were in Calangute, but, what do you do, we were running out of cash!
Please, give us Money!
So on the Friday, 4 days after our card failed on us, we were finally off to Margao to pickup some money to see us through until the emergency card came though! Indian banks, of course, are even worse than National Australia Bank, so it took some time, and more phone calls back to Visa International, but they finally managed to force it through, and at 2.30 pm (we arrived at the bank at 10.00am), we finally walked away with money!
Once we had the emergency cash, we got back onto them, to organise a card. This, they said, would arrive in 3 business days. This was longer than we intended to stay in our hotel, but we said, oh well, we need a card, so we will wait (this was Friday, so 3 business days would be the following Wednesday).
To our surprise, the card arrived at our Goan hotel, on the Monday, only 3 days ( 1 business day) later. Finally, we were OK to travel again.
The only down side, was that the temporary card has no security number, so we could not use it online – and all the cheap airlines only sell their tickets online! But ever mind, things could have go a lot worse!
So, Thanks Visa International, you saved our bacon. An no thanks to National Australia Bank, you cost us hundreds of dollars, and put us under enormous stress when we should have been enjoying our holiday!
The above article is a reprint from a blog I no longer keep online, that was attached to www.asianitineraries.com. This blog became unsustainable, and I recently decided to take it down. I will reprint a dozen or so articles that really didnt see the light of day, and I think are relivant to this blog. I may change them from thier initial format, add pictures and update relivant information.
A Close Shave?
This is a photo of me getting a shave after spending 10 days walking the Annapurna Sancuary Trek in Nepal. We returned to Pokhara, but a fortnight’s growth of red beard had to be dealt with by a professional! And 50c seemed to me a very reasonable fee!
Part the way through the shave I noticed what set this particular barber apart from his competitors………
Nepalese Barber
The Nepalese Truck-Stop Diet – 6kg in 8 days!!
PLEASE BE AWARE, THAT THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS DIET , It is a tongue in cheek take on a personal experience!.
Below is my step by step guide to my Nepalese Curry Diet. To achieve the same results as I did, you need to follow these instructions precisely, as even seemingly unnecessary steps, such as step 2, are critical in achieving noticeable results -
Before the "diet"
1.Arrive in Kathmandu
2. Eat Doggy Chicken Curry at a truck-stop cafe. I know, everyone says don’t eat it, but you need to show your travel companions how cool you are, l even though you know it looks “sus”.
3. Find cheap hotel in Pokhara, and proceed to spend next 24 hours completely emptying contents of your stomach, both intestines and bowels. Make sure you sweat profusely the whole time. Don’t leave the room, in-fact spend the entire time either in your bed, or on the bathroom floor.
4. Wait until the stomach craps stop, then prepare to head off on 8 day Annapurna Base camp trek. Don’t eat before you go, as you cannot stomach anything.
5. Walk approximately 170km, continually ascending and descending hills and valleys, to you reach a maximum height of 4130m above see level. Stop for water and soft-drinks regularly, but completely loose your appetite. Find the only food you could even contemplate eating is soup (luckily Nepalese garlic soup is sensational), which you eat twice a day.
After the "Diet", 8 days later
6. Finally leave the path a Phedi, and taxi back top Pokhara. Go to dinner in town and (finally) devour a steak (buffalo, not cow). Weigh yourself to find you have dropped 6kg…EASY!!!
It should be noted, the Annapurna Base camp trek is still one of the most amazing experiences I have embarked on, and, in addition, apart from the truck-stop snack, I would gladly repeat the entire experience at the drop of a hat. Kathmandu is a must see city on any adventures list, and Pokhara is a wonderful town to spend a week or more. I still long for the Garlic Soup sometimes, as it was truly wonderful, and obviously nourishing!
REMINDER – THIS IS NOT A REAL DIET
Full Service v’s Low Cost Airlines – a 40Plus Travelers Perspective
Over the last few years the proliferation of Low Cost Airlines around the world has massively decreased the costs of international and long distance travel. These airlines have opened up travel to many who could never have afforded it, as well as increased the amount many of the rest of us are able to fly. Another major achievement of low cost airlines that we don’t always think about , has been to force down the price of Full Service Airlines! I think some of the worlds stodgy old, national carriers where bloated and unresponsive to customers, which is often the case in a monopoly or duopoly situation.
So along came the Low Cost Carriers, and these airlines started offering fares for $150 dollars, that the old airlines were charging $1200 for. And as a result, a good portion of their “customers” moved to the new carriers.
Now, finally, Some full services airlines, national carriers or not, have woken up and are sometimes offering some great pricing, working on the strategy of the new airlines – fill the seats!
This is a long introduction (or boring modern history lesson!), to get to the subject I want to discuss -
Are Full Service Airlines Deals now Better the Low Cost Carriers?
My case study for this article, is my recent flight (holiday) from Perth, Western Australia, to Bali, Indonesia. This route is one that is services by at least 4 low costs carriers, and only one major Full service Airline, being Indonesia’s national carrier – Garuda International.
So comparing the Garuda best price v the low cost airline best price
Garuda – $ 386.00 AUD return v’s Air Asia – $220.00 AUD return
But then, when you add the services that are included with full service -
20 kg luggage each way - $50.00
1 meal each way, 1 bottle of water each way - $40.00
Seat allocation – $20.00
Comfort kit – $11.00.
Theses extras then make the comparison, as follows -
Garuda – $ 386.00 AUD return v’s Air Asia – $341.00 AUD return.
If you then add the cost of a beer or wine with your meal ( not available on Air Asia, even at a cost), and in-flight entertainment service, and added those on at an extra $25.00, comparisons become -
Garuda – $ 386.00 AUD return v’s Air Asia – $366.00 AUD return.
So, then you need to decide if the full service Garuda flight is worth an extra $20.00? (if you consume any extra alcohol on full service, or if you are likely to buy more food than just the one meal on the Low cost airline, this changes the equation again).
In my opinion, the full service flight is worth the few extra dollars, for a couple of reasons.
- The seats are bigger, and the leg room is greater.
- The quality of passenger is better!
- Seat-back entertainment system help pass the time
Now, I am not saying Full Service will always be a cheaper option, usually it is not. I do recommend doing the math, and allowing for all the add-ons and if the difference is not much, it might be a good idea to opt for the Full Service option.
I would be interested in any other comparisons, any of you out there may have done. Quick $ comparison would be great. send them in!
A New Partnership with Agoda
Although I haven’t added any reference to it on this site yet, I have recently entered into a affiliate partnership with Agoda.com.
This came about as I have been searching for a good value 1 bedroom villa in Seminyak, Bali, for a quick trip to the island in early December. As I travel continually in South East Asia, I have spent many hours searching for good hotel deals in most of the South east Asian capitals, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, and many other start points for my various travel itineraries. Over the last few years I have noticed that the old hotel booking sites I have previously used, have not been getting the best deals. And I have noticed that Agoda continually do.
So I found a good villa – Astana Kunti – and a comparison of rates varies from over $400 per night, to Agoda’s rate of $138.00. And I have noticed this happens over and over.
I expect that Agoda’a success is a result of the company being based in the region, coupled with being a part of Priceline, one of the big players in the industry.
Anyway, this may seem like an add for Agoda, but its not really. I do, however, believe they are the best in the South East Asian market at the moment. And that is why I decided to join their affiliate program! So follow my affiliate ink if you are interested in looking for South east Asian hotel deals. You will get the best deal, and I will get a couple of bucks!
Unfortunately for me, this means a lot of work, changing all my referral links on my websites. But anyway, that is my problem.
Today’s Photo – Genting Highlands, Malaysia
Amusement park above the clouds, at Genting Highlands, Malaysia
Traveling costs for 40+ year old travelers – Introduction
He we go, I am starting another post series!
I want to look at various counties I have visited, and try to give readers (specifically to over 40 year old readers) an idea of the costs of visiting and traveling in those particular countries. In trying to address this specifically at the over 40 year old, I am going to make assumptions on the way we (as 40+’s) choose to travel, and why this is a bit different from the the 20 year old backpackers! I am, however, assuming budget travel, and for extended time, as this is the nature of my blog, and my travel.
a cottage at Bukit Fraser, Malaysia
These costs will include an idea of accommodation, eating, traveling around the country in question, getting to the country, and all other costs I can think of that a normal, budget conscious 40+ year old will encounter when visiting the countries I will cover! It will be of a standard I expect when traveling - not flash, but safe, private and relatively comfortable (no dorms, no shared rooms and no overnight buses, to mention just a few of the discomforts a 40+ year old traveler need not endure!). It will include both the capital of main city of the country we are discussing, as well as traveling into outer areas. In addition, I will include sightseeing costs where applicable, particularly when we are talking about “must see” attractions!
As I like to travel for an extended period of time, generally I have visited the countries that are relatively cheap to visit, and will start the series with one of my favourite places in the world - Nepal! Coming soon..
Tropical Island Gems – Introduction
When people sit in their homes in the depths of winter, with rain, wind or snow pelting down on their roof, what escape so often comes to mind? I would suggest a near deserted island, somewhere in the tropics, would very often be the daydream of choice! That daydream would include a white beach, with palm trees, a still sea, with tropical reef just offshore (you would have a set of goggles lying beside your beach chair), a local vendor wandering the sand pedalling exotic fruits, and probably a cane chaired beach bar a short distance away. Well daydream no more, they are out there! I’ve been to as many of them as I can find!, and I want to tell anyone who’ll listen all about them! Maybe brighten up an otherwise gloomy day, maybe set in motion a plan to get to one!
Sunset from View Point, Ko Phi Phi
So I thought I would start a series of posts on those islands. The ones that are a little lesser known, that are postcard perfect, that you wish you could move to and live on for ever! I love the heat, and when there is heat, I love a good beach, so I have spent plenty of time searching for just the right spot for me to chill!
Most of my travel has been throughout South East Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, and Central Asia, so I have visited my fair share of these hidden tropical island escapes! Of course, there are tropical island escapes in the Americas, Africa and the mediterranean, but, hey, you cant be everywhere, unfortunately!
Manukan Island, Sabah, Malaysia
I can think of islands I will cover off the coasts of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and India, as well as island nations in the South Pacific. I remember reading somewhere that Indonesia was made up of 10,000 islands? I wonder if it would be possible to visit all of those? If anybody ever has? How many of them would be idillic beach getaways, maybe 1 in 10?, that is still 1000 tropical island paradises waiting to be visited! Now there is a challenge for someone!
The first post of the series will be Ko Ngai, a small island at the south end of the Andaman Sea off the west coast of Thailand. I will try to give some photos, as well as details on how to get there (or how I got there, at least), and the accommodation options if I can. I hope you enjoy the series, and provide some feedback. I would also love to hear about other tropical island gems that are out there, so let me know. Guest post is available in this series.
RTW Transport; Think Low and Slow
I often hear people’s accounts of their round the world adventure, and am always surprised when they talk of their 6, 8 or 10 flights and destinations. So these people visit 8,6,or 10 cities, have a look around, do some day trips, maybe even a side-trip or two, and then catch a flight to the next point on their itinerary.
I think what makes a great experience is not always the destination or sight, but often it is more about the journey. Potentially, the journey is where you meet ”real” locals, see the unusual, and sometimes chose to change your plans. So I thought I would briefly contemplate the “better” ways to really see the world, following my theory of “LOW and SLOW” as the most potentially interesting ways to travel.
- Walk, Hike – Feet on the ground, and around 5-8km per hour, means you really do get to experience and interact with locals, as well as being right in the middle of all the sights and smells of where ever you are! Unfortunately, this is not usually the only form of transport for a round the world trip. But walk whenever you can, it is the ultimate way to experience.
- Cycling - Next slowest, and close to the ground, cycling is interactive with environments, and gives you the ability to pick up all the sights and sounds going on around you, but also means you can cover more distance, and carry a bit more. Definitely a better option than walking for smaller transit
- Boat – Ferry’s can be a great way to commute with locals, and generally the slower they are the better the interaction, and more scenic and enjoyable the journey. However, even high speed ferries will often be the cheap option for locals to get around islands and coastal areas, so they are still “authentic.
- Motor bike & car – A rental, loan or owned vehicle has some advantages and disadvantages in how well you can see an area. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to go and stop as you please, as well as make changes to plans quickly and easily. But you can miss things when you zip pass them, and often restricts your exposure to local people.
- Bus - Bus is getting a bit higher of the ground, and a bit faster, and as a result, you do definitely loose some of the interaction with the local environment that makes long term travel such an exhilarating experience. Buses are going to be a necessity for extended travel, and a far better option that flying, but should be restricted to transport between venues, and as little as possible where sightseeing is possible. It is, however, a good way to meet and talk with other travellers. Sometimes the feedback from others doing the same thing as you, can give you tips and ideas you may not have known about.
- Train – Faster than buses, and as a result, generally you see less. They can be useful to travel and sleep at the same time, but only when you are prepared to miss the area you are passing through. On occasions, scenic trains can get you into areas that you otherwise would not access, and these are the exception to my rule.
- Plane – You sure don’t see much from most planes, and I think they should be used as little as possible. A fair distance flight is probably a good idea to start your trip, so you can really feel you have gotten away, but after that, try and limit plane travel. If you have plenty of cash, the odd scenic flight is different (Everest, Nepal, and Bungles Bungles, Australia spring to mind)
In short, try to use a descending scale of time on each mode of transport. If you do 80% method 1, and 1% on method 7, you will have a far more enlightening travel experience than if you reverse the order, and spend most of your holiday on a plane.
Enjoy you travel experience, think “LOW and SLOW”
