Thailand - Bangkok Travel Advisory

BANGKOK BEFORE THE FLOOD

Bangkok has been hit by severe floods. All districts have been placed on high alert, however, the worst-hit areas are the northern and eastern districts, most notably Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa, Bang Khen, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Lat Krabang and Khan Na Yao. Traveling to those districts is highly discouraged. The authorities have advised the locals there to move their valuables to higher grounds and be ready for a swift evacuation.
In other districts, including Central Bangkok, the water has risen to ankle or knee-level. While life continues relatively as normal, the situation is in a state of flux and could change overnight. Basic supplies like drinking water, tooth paste, toilet paper, batteries and candles are scarce or unavailable as many convenience stores and supermarkets have closed.
Rail travel is severely strained — the Northern Line to Chiang Mai is completely out of order, while the Northeastern Line is rerouted via Chachoengsao (expect significant delays). Bus travel is still possible, but many lines are rerouted causing heavy delays. Plan your trip carefully and follow the news for ongoing developments.

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Check back later for more info, and meanwhile, check out this article about Bangkok

"Bangkok as seen from the SkyTrain, appears a jumble of oxidized hovels, clotheslines, and satellite dishes, above which gathers a typically ruined Third World sky, while in the far and middle distances, a new postmodern cityscape of luxurious condominiums has seemingly been airlifted from Miami’s Brickell Avenue."

FROM TRAVEL AND LEISURE  http://www.travelandleisure.com/

American Airlines - Launches Deal Finder 2.0

American Airlines launches Deal Finder as an alternative to Orbitz and Travelocity. 

The all new DealFinder 2.0 features a user friendly design, more search capabilities, and exclusive offers.

DealFinder is the customizable fare searching tool that you can download to your desktop, so you can easily have a personalized travel planning experience!

With DealFinder 2.0, you have access to:

• Fare Search Alerts- Set up to 10 fare searches and DealFinder will alert you when your desired fare becomes available
• News and Offers – Be among the first to know about the latest fare sales and news from AA.com
• Exclusive Discounts – Receive exclusive offers tailored to your travel preferences

Whether you are using a PC, Mac or Linux operating system, DealFinder gives you access to all American Airlines travel deals.

Save time and gain more control over your travel planning with DealFinder.

To Download

SOUTHWEST Update - Working through cancellations

Southwest Airlines is experiencing relatively few flight delays and cancellations while they are proactively inspecting some Boeing 737s.  For more information about these inspections.

If your flight is delayed or canceled and you would like to reschedule your trip in accordance with Southwest accommodation guidelines Online Rebook

For Customers who did not purchase their ticket via southwest.com, please call 1-800-435-9792 to rebook your travel plans without paying any additional charge.  Also, Customers holding reservations for a canceled flight may request a refund for an unused ticket/travel itinerary.

Link to ehow article on Southwest Cancellation policy.

American Airlines in battle with Online Booking Sites

Expedia Cancels Relationship with American Airlines Over a  Price Dispute

Expedia Inc. removed American Airlines’ airfares from its travel website today.  They claim the new pricing model from AA is “anti-consumer and anti-choice,” making it harder to compare American ticket prices and options with those of other airlines, the online travel agency said in an e- mailed statement.

American doesn’t expect a “significant” drop in sales from Expedia’s move, said Ryan Mikolasik, a spokesman for American Airlines. On Dec. 23, Expedia omitted American fares from prime search displays on its site, though customers could still buy tickets. This widens the conflict between online travel agencies and airlines, such as American, that seek to drive more consumers to their own websites. Fort Worth, Texas- based American, owned by AMR Corp., has developed a system called Direct Connect that provides fare pricing and options directly to larger online travel agencies.

Last month, American pulled its listings off Orbitz Worldwide Inc., while Delta Air Lines Inc. notified three online travel sites -- CheapOAir.com, OneTravel.com and BookIt.com -- that it terminated them as authorized travel agents.

American spokesman Mikolasik said that while consumers can’t buy American tickets on Expedia anymore, the airline’s fares and schedules remain on Egencia, Expedia’s corporate travel website.

AIRLINES FEES - Cool visual chart on fees

Philippines: Great Bargain for Beach Vacation

Do you have the Philippines Inside?  You like the Philippines.  The Philippines likes you.

The Philippines may be just about to rudely shove Thailand off the ‘best cheap beaches’ perch it’s occupied for the best part of two decades. While travellers argue long and hard about which is cheaper, there’s no denying Thailand is more popular.

For those who desire nothing more than to find great, undiscovered beaches, surf the odd wave and eat unique, distinctive food for under US$20 a day, the Philippines has the edge.

Camara Island, Pundaquit.  San Antonio, Zambales.  Philippines

Add in the possibility of beach camping along the Zambales Coast or in the Bacuit Archipelago and you’ve got the recipe for timeless island hopping that suits any budget. Ferries link many idyllic destinations in the Philippines. Expect to pay around US$5 for each hour you’re on the water.

Vacation Tip: Lost Luggage

Even though lost luggage claims are down over 20% this year, it still hurts if it is your bags that are the ones lost.  If your bags are lost, you may qualify for up to $3,300 in compensation on domestic USA flights and up to $1,700 for international flights.  Check with your airline for policies.




The best advice to is to prepare so your bags are not lost.  Here are some things you can do to get control:

BEFORE LEAVING:
*  Book a non stop flight.  Minimize the chance of a failed transfer.
*  Choose an airline with a good baggage record.  Compare here.
*  Pack your carry-on wisely so that you can live comfortably for a few days - medications and clothes - in case you have to.
*  Remove old luggage tags to avoid confusion.
*  Label your suitcase well - also tuck a business card inside - Lack of ID tags is why luggage ends up in the lost luggage clearing house and is resold.

AT THE AIRPORT:
*  Check in on time, if not your bags may not make the flight.
*  Make sure the desk agent places the correct destination tags on your bags.
* Hang onto your baggage claim ticket.  Often, it is attached to your boarding pass and is frequently left behind on the plane.

AFTER LANDING:
* Be at the carousel when bags are off-loaded.
*  If your bags are lost or delayed, file a report immediately at the airport and get a copy.
*  Ask the lost-luggage counter for the airline's contract of carriage, this will spell out your rights.
*  The Department of Transportation recommends following up with a certified letter to the airline's customer service department restating the details of the incident.

LESSON LEARNED:
Do your best to pack lightly and travel with carry-on only.  With what you save in time, aggravation and baggage fees, you could purchase what you don't pack at your destination.

Cool web site about travel by American Express:  www.TravelAndLeisure.com

Preparing for Holiday Travel

GET READY BECAUSE HERE IT COMES - Holiday Survival Guide

Gettting to enjoy it

The crowds. The lines. The security and scanning. The sprint to the gate. All of it can overwhelm air travelers -- especially during the holiday rush -- but it doesn't have to be that way.  And as security measures continue to ramp up, with pat-downs and new scans, navigating overbooked, overflowing airports just got a bit more dicey. 

Travel experts to provide tips to make the airport experience a smooth one, especially if you haven't flown since last holiday season.
But first, be aware that you'll have lots of company in your quest to share a turkey dinner with relatives.  It's estimated that 42.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving, according to AAA and IHS Global Insight. That's an 11 percent increase from last year, when 37.9 million people traveled during the holiday.  And about 24 million people will be crammed into airplanes, a 3.5 percent increase over last year, according to the Air Transport Association of America, which represents some of the nation's biggest airlines.

The busiest travel day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, followed by the Monday after the holiday, the ATA said. The Friday before Thanksgiving week and the Wednesday before the holiday will be the other peak travel days.
The least busy travel day? The holiday itself: Thursday, November 25.  No matter what day you fly, here are five tips to survive the airport this holiday season.

1. Hit the web before you head for the airport
Let modern technology save you some hassles and maybe even some money. Check in online up to 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave, and print your boarding pass at home.  "This allows you to secure your seat assignment, double-check for any schedule changes ... and decrease your chances of getting bumped if your flight is oversold,"

New since the holidays last year: More carriers now allow you to check in from your smartphone and use a digital bar code on the screen to pass through the airport.
If you're using this option, save the bar code as a photo on your device, which will make it much easier to retrieve at security and at the gate, advised Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights.

If you're checking bags, many airlines have raised their fees this year, but some offer discounts if you prepay during the online check-in. Delta, Continental and US Airways, for example, take $2 off the first bag and $3 off the second if you pay online when you check in for your flight on the carrier's website.
"Know before you go," Saltzburg said. "There are fees, and it's important to educate yourself and be prepared and handle as much of the check-in process before you actually get to the airport."
He recommended the ultimate airline fee guide on SmarterTravel.com to get a clear picture of any extra charges you might pay.
Check out other great travel tips and destinations at Five To Go

2. Pack light
Avoid checked-bag fees altogether by bringing carry-on luggage only. (Be sure to check with your carrier on the maximum size of bags allowed in the overhead bins.)  You can head straight for the security line when you arrive at the airport and skip the baggage carousel after your flight lands at your destination.  New since the holidays last year: Spirit Airlines now charges a fee for carry-ons that passengers place in the overhead bins. (Each traveler can still bring one personal item that fits under a seat for free, such as a purse or briefcase.)
Every other   Airline allows one piece of luggage and one personal item to be carried on for free by every ticketed passenger, Brown said.

3. Give yourself plenty of time
Get to the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure for a domestic flight and three hours before an international trip.
It's especially important to get to the airport early during the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel rush, because the many inexperienced fliers and families with children who are venturing out during the holidays will probably slow down the security process.
New since the holidays last year: Beefed-up screening means that lines may be moving more sluggishly.
"Body scanners and additional pat-downs are the norm these days, leave extra time to get through security,"

4. Prepare for the security line
There's no avoiding your encounter with Transportation Security Administration agents, and there's tension in the air as hundreds of travelers grab bins and shuffle through with their belongings.
"The one place you'll tend to have to queue is going to be at airport security, and it's probably your most stressful part of the trip," Saltzburg said.
You can't speed up the line, but you can do your part to prevent slowing it down. Here are some basic tips:
• Have your boarding pass and ID easily available.
• Remove your shoes. ("Slip-on shoes should make going through security much faster," Saltzburg advised.)
• Make sure all of your liquids are in a zip-top plastic bag that's kept separate from your carry-on bag and adheres to the 3-1-1 rule: Fliers are limited to 3-ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels, that can fit in a one-quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.
• Send coats and jackets through the X-ray machine.
• Take any items that might set off the metal detector -- like keys, loose change and heavy jewelry -- out of your pockets.
• Don't wrap any gifts. If security officers need to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap it. If traveling with food, check the TSA's list of items that should be checked or shipped ahead.
Bored at the airport? Entertain yourself with CNN iReport's holiday scavenger hunt

5. Plan for flight delays
Don't expect all of your Thanksgiving travel plans to happen without a hitch, Orbitz.com advised. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and if you have connecting flights, build buffers into your itinerary so that one disruption won't jeopardize your entire trip.
"Keep any medication you need and something to keep you busy in your carry-on bags," Brown said.
Saltzburg, who flies several times a week, said he depends on noise-canceling headphones to provide him with moments of Zen.
"I put my headset on, and it tunes out the world around me," he said.

SOURCE:  http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/17/holiday.airport.survival.guide/?hpt=Sbin

Boracay - New Years Destination

Boracay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world which are covered with the purest golden white sand lying next to the clear blue waters of the sea.

Boracay Beach

When you speak about white sand beaches with pristine and crystal-clear waters, it is perhaps in no doubt that the majestic island of Boracay comes to mind. This tiny tropical island, located about 316 kilometers (about 200 miles) south of Manila, 

Boracay Sand Castle

People heading to the tropical paradise over New Years Eve can attend a number of parties and events being held by each of the many resorts and hotels spread out across the island.

To celebrate the New Year the island is famous for its huge fireworks display which is provided by the resorts on the island, with each one putting on a separate show and trying to outdo each other. The sky will be filled with color and the sound of exploding firecrackers as revelers can sit back and watch all the action.

On the night are also a number of live music performances by famous local bands and DJs who will provide the music for people to dance the night away as the evening crosses over into 2011.

An event not to be missed is also the sandcastle building contest that will feature artists sculpting awe-inspiring sand castles from the golden sand.





After a peaceful and relatively low-profile flight from Manila to Kalibo or Caticlan, tourists are immediately treated to an exciting boat ride from Caticlan Jetty Port to Boracay. During this 20 minute ride, tourists could enjoy the lovely view of Aklan’s pristine waters together with its rich natural resources. As you disembark the boat and prepare for your island adventure, it would be impossible to miss the majestic view of Boracay’s world famous “White Sand Beach”. The chalk-like sand is unquestionably the island’s most valuable treasure, drawing the tourists and giving the locals a source of livelihood.

Pearl and Charles enjoy a Boracay morning

I took my first vacation with my future wife to Boracay.  Very romantic and many different activities around the beach.  We really got to know each other amidst a relax setting.  

We stayed at La Reserve Boracay, Station 1 Balabag, (63 36) 2883020  Spending your vacation at La reserve will make your holiday dream come true, full of relaxing and partying, with nice ambiance that feels and brings you in paradise. Spend the night in their elegant rooms, and enjoy breakfast on your private balcony with garden views. La Reserve is ideally located for day trips. Spend the day exploring nearby towns or the natural attractions of Boracay Island, or simply relax at the hotel. Best rates on official website start at Php 3,000

The island is already a popular tourist destination and with the influx of tourists heading for New Year, demand for a hotel in Boracay is set to dramatically increase.

BookingBuddy.com - Travel App Review

BookingBuddy (http://www.bookingbuddy.com/) is a service of Smarter Travel Media LLC. It is a free service designed to help travelers search all their favorite travel websites with fewer clicks and in less time.

"BookingBuddy.com attempts to take the hassle out of searching multiple travel sites to find the best rates and deals. Simply fill out your travel details in the box marked Step 1, and then click one of the popular search sites from the Step 2 box at the right. BookingBuddy checks Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Hotwire.com, Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, as well as numerous other hotel, air, car-rental, cruise, and vacation sites."

Negatives on BookingBuddy.com are:  some find it to be slow and labor intensive.  Especially around the  way it is designed.  Plugging in the information for what you are looking for and then choose which search engine to use. This process can be slow and requires you to select each search engine separately. Some might be able to search the other sites quicker on their own.  The fact that it's owned by Expedia, there is a perceived bias in guiding the user towards Expedia.com

Others have found that BookingBuddy is useful.  Especially when needing to quickly compare several  ticketing sites and various travel dates.  The service they give is completely free, and it has been designed to help travelers search through all the travel websites. The site will also save all your recent searches so you don't have to retype all the information again. Also you can compare prices not only from flights companies but also from hotels, cruises, vacations, travel deals and cars.

“As travelers feel more comfortable shopping on-line, they're also looking for the lowest prices available.”, says president Daniel Saul.

Now known as Smarter Travel Media, the company was acquired in 2007 by TripAdvisor and Expedia.

CHICAGO - The Signature Tour - DOUBLE DECKER & TROLLEY TOURS

CHICAGO:

September 2010.  We took the Blue Line from O'Hare to our Hotel.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites Lakefront and we were in the middle of all things fun.



Double Decker Tour Bus



We checked in and enjoyed the manager's cocktail reception.  Pearl had some soft drinks and I had some beers.  We went over to eat at DAO a Thai restaurant, great food.  

In the morning we took the Signature Tour.  Double Decker & Trolley Tours was a great way to see the city.  We walked up a half block across from the NBC Tower and caught a double decker bus.  Next stop was Navy Pier where we bought tickets for $29 plus a discounted Skydeck admission.   



Navy Pier: 



This is the number one attraction in Chicago.  Here are restaurants, Harry Caray's bar, food court and ice cream.  Also from Navy Pier you can rent a boat or relax in a beer garden.  The ferris wheel is another great attraction.  For $7 you can get a view from up high.  On our first night, we stopped by the pier and the ferris wheel was closed.  There was a party of doofus hipsters that were so upset the wheel was closed, they jumped the gate and climbed on the closed yet still moving wheel.  The wheel operator stopped the wheel before the ride completed and called the police.  The police were not well humored and told the gathering crowd to leave. 

 

Pearl pointing out the late night riders





Also at Navy Pier is a Garrett Popcorn shop for which the Double Decker & Trolley Tours provides a free coupon, wow that is some great popcorn.  I had the Chicago Mix, it was awesome, sweet and cheesey.  The food court had something for every palate.  Pearl had sweet and sour chicken and I had a Starbucks Coffee, some pizza and the popcorn (part of this nutritious breakfast).

Pearl and a Pirate

Pearl on the Ferris Wheel

We walked to the end of the pier and had a great view of lake Michigan.  The pier has enough to do to spend all day. 

Swings from the Big Wheel

Navy Pier - Main Gate

The Double Decker & Trolley Tour continued on to the Magnificent Mile.  I really loved the hop on hop off feature.  It was interesting to hear the different take on the city from the tour guides.  All were funny and enjoyable.  Being in the open air was a great way to see the architecture like the Wrigley, the Intercontinental and the New Trump.

The New Trump behind Pearl

Other stops included the Water Tower, it did not burn down during the Great Chicago Fire, a vertical mall, Water Tower Place and the Museum of Contemporary Art.  We had limited time and were excited to see the Willis Tower, so we skipped the John Hancock Observatory. 

Charles Rolling by Hard Rock

We rolled past the Hard Rock Cafe, but it was too early to eat when we went by, but there are many great pizza and hot dog places at this stop.  I made a note to come back to this stop at night for some live music, but was way too tired to get up and go after a long day of touring.

Next Stop:  Skydeck - Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) - My review of that stop is here.

There was a nice lawn with comfortable chairs as we waited for the next bus.

Pearl relaxing on lawn across from Willis Tower

Chicago Theatre:  On the this next leg we went through the theatre district and saw some great city views.  The tour guide was great as he ducked under the "L" .  On a side note, Louis CK is funny as hell.  I wished I was able to see him perform at the Chicago Theatre.

Tour goes past Chicago Theatre



Millenium Park:

This was a cool stop with lots to see and do.  The park is very relaxing with strategic benches and greenery.  The Cloudgate was very cool to look at and we had lots of fun taking pictures in and around it.  The Cloudgate has an odd bean shape and is knicknamed, "the Bean".



Pearl's turn to hold up the Bean



Chicago from Millenium Park

Cloudgate "the Bean"





TRAVEL NEWS ALERT - FRANCE TRAVEL DELAYS DUE TO STRIKE

Unions in France are on a strike today against the French Government over their plans to reform the pension system. This strike is widespread as transport and energy workers, civil servants and teachers all are participating in the national strike.

Unions have threatened to extend the strike in France if the Government does not decide to renew the action. Unions that are on strike in France are from different sectors including transport, ports and power.

Owing to the strike in France, intercity trains to Paris are running at only one third of normal frequency. Rural train services are more seriously disrupted due to the strike.

Airports are also expecting significant disruption to flights as air traffic controllers and Air France staff has walked out as part of the strike. 30 percent of the flights are expected to be canceled due to the strike in France.

MORE INFORMATION:

TRAIN                                   AIRPORT

Scary Bridges - Caution - Don't View if you Fear Heights

WORLD'S SCARIEST BRIDGES

Many courageous (or foolhardy) travelers seek out hair-raising bridges just for the thrill. The bridges along the route to Colombia’s National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro are a good example. Though there are safer routes via bus from La Plata, some thrill-seekers choose to ride motorcycles over slippery bamboo crossings deep in the mountains, where one wrong move could mean plunging into a turbulent river.

So get ready to face your fears—or maybe find your next adventure—with a list of the world’s most petrifying bridges.

Suspension Bridge - North Vancouver

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Canada

Originally built in 1889, this simple suspension footbridge surrounded by an evergreen forest is very high, fairly narrow, and extremely shaky—the cedar planks bounce on their steel cables as you walk across them. If the bridge doesn’t scare you, wait until the spring of 2011; the Cliffhanger attraction will allow visitors to climb across a series of suspended walkways attached to a cliff.

Where: British Columbia, across the Capilano River.

Stats: 450 feet long; 230 feet high.

Vietnam - Monkey Bridge

Monkey Bridges
Vietnam

It may seem that only monkeys could make it across traditional monkey bridges—after all, they’re typically made of a single bamboo log and one handrail. However, the name comes from the stooped monkey-like posture you have to maintain when crossing, so as not to plunge into the river below.

Where: Various points across the Mekong Delta at the southern tip of Vietnam.

Stats: These bridges are built by hand by local residents and vary from town to town. Newer ones are made of concrete.

Travel Tips - Postponing or Canceling

If your flight gets canceled or postponed, see if it can be rescheduled.  Getting a new date may be better than hanging around the airport for an indefinate period.

• If you decide to travel at a later date, call your travel agent or your airline as soon as possible for details on how to reuse your ticket.  Generally, tickets must be used no later than one year from the date of purchase.  Some changes may require a fee and/or an additional fare payment.

• If you originally scheduled flight was canceled and you decide not to travel, you can receive a full refund.  To arrange for a refund, call your travel agent or call your airline customer service.