May
31
Saturday’s Quotable Traveler
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“Going up that river was like travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings. An empty stream, a great silence, an impenetrable forest…. The broadening waters flowed through a mob of wooded island; you lost your way on that river as you would in a desert, and butted all day long against shoals, till you thought yourself bewitched and cut off for ever from everything you had known once - somewhere - far away - in another existence.”
- Joseph Conrad 1857-1924 / Russian-Born English Writer
May
30
Fewer Air-Traffic Controllers
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5 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
The bad news is that air-traffic controllers are leaving in huge numbers. These retiring controllers are leaving at the fastest rate since President Ronald Reagan fired more than 12,000 striking controllers in 1981.
To reduce the bleeding the FAA is hiring hundreds of trainees and offering bonuses of as much as $24,000 to keep controllers in their current jobs. The FAA also says that air travel has never been safer. In January 2008 we had around 11,000 controllers, a loss from the 2,801 6 years ago.
The union that represents the controllers, NATCA, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, has declared staffing emergencies at several major US airports. Union statement. It appears much of this is due to a contract dispute that has lasted since 2006.
May
29
4 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
Having a healthy vacation starts before your leave. You may have purchased travel insurance and received the needed vaccinations. But here are a few more tips.
- Take a small first-aid kit. You can make one yourself, or purchase a small one off the shelf. Your kit will be dependent on quality of health care at your destination. I have purchased several kits made by Adventure Medical Kits. They offer kits based on the number of people, type of activities and you destination areas. I add items specifically based on my own expected activities.
- See your dentist before you leave. This will help you avoid any unexpected emergencies.
- When exercising, take it easy. Don’t over do it before or during your trip. This includes lugging your luggage around while traveling to your destination.
- Bring copies of your prescriptions, extra glasses or contact lenses.
- In countries that have questionable water stay away from cold salads, street vendor food, ice, tap water uncooked meats, fresh milk, unpeeled fruit, and seafood. Use only boiled water or treated water and beverages in sealed bottles.
May
28
Search For Health & Safety Risks
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3 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
How about some hiking in Portugal? Planning on doing a scuba diving in Belize? Want to find out what’s the health and safety risks are for a specific destination? Here are some web resources to check.
The World Health Organization has released, in electronic form, a great publication for travelers. It covers how may meet sudden and significant changes in humidity, temperature, altitude and microbes which can result in health issues. Poor quality health, hygiene, sanitation standards are often go hand in hand with poor medical services and limited clean water.
For the full publication click here. For just the country list click here.
The United States State Department also offers a wealth of information for those traveling overseas. If your headed out of the country this is an excellent reference. Click here.
The UK offers an interesting site with information for not only traveling but living overseas. Click here.
May
27
2 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
This is the Eastern Caribbeans second busiest airport located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin. Approaching jets fly just 30-60 feet over the heads of sunbathers on the Maho Beach. Even with the difficult approach no major accidents have occurred. This list is from Oddee.com. For an interesting discussion of the topic read this posting on airliners.net.
- Princess Juliana International Airport (Saint Martin)
- Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Saba)
- Courchevel (France)
- Gustaf III Airport (St. Bart)
- Barra International Airport (Barra)
May
26
1 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
The recent death of a GB Airways co-pilot while in-flight makes one think about the question, what if both pilots die at the controls? The only answer is that you have two pilots, the pilot in charge and the co-pilot, each backs the other up. But if both die your in trouble. If this scares you and leads you to wonder what happens if both pilots die, you have a point. But if this concerns you you will need to add lots of other things to your list to worry about.
First thing to add to the list is the fact that many overseas flights have two engines. Yes just two engines. Planes can fly pretty well on one engine, but loose both and your out of luck big time. Having flown the LAX HNL, Los Angeles to Honolulu, route dozens of times the thought of loosing both engines has crossed my mind. But having a Father who designed jet engines for a living makes me much more concerned about engines and flight controls than the health of the two pilots.
Most commercial airplane systems, including pilots, have a back-up. Two pilots, two engines, two radios, etc. Most in-flight problems which take out both primary and secondary systems are due to human error. My Father’s experience showed that the most common error for loosing both engines was a pilot switching the engines to an empty fuel tank. He specialized in maintainablity and reliability of both commercial and military jet engine design for General Electric.
If your still a bit scared of getting on the flight, here are some things you can do to improve your odds if you are involved in an air disaster. Wear long sleeve shirt and long pants made of natural fiber. Count the rows to the nearest exit doors. Understand how to open airplane doors. Keep your seat belt buckled at all times. Reduce your breathing rate if smoke is present. Inflate your life vest after you leave the plane. Leave your bags behind.
May
25
Traveling By The Book
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The Smart Traveler’s Passport: 399 Tips from Seasoned Travelers
-By Erik Torkells
From The Publisher: “Budget Travel magazine isn’t just about the best travel experience at the lowest price—it’s also about traveling “the right way.” Their philosophy, “Vacations for real people,” has led them to their readership for guidance, and this collection of their readers’ best 399 travel tips is an essential addition to any traveler’s library. How to avoid long lines at the world’s most popular attractions Designed to look and feel like an actual passport, this handy reference provides expert advice on planning, booking, packing, flying, safety, security, and getting around. It makes the perfect bon-voyage gift!”
For more information see the reviews visit Amazon.com:
Your Purchases Help Support the MurrayOnTravel.com Website.
May
24
Saturday’s Quotable Traveler
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“Better far off to leave half the ruins and nine-tenths of the churches unseen and to see well the rest; to see them not once, but again and often again; to watch them, to learn them, to live with them, to love them, till they have become a part of life and life’s recollections.”
- Augustus Hare 1834-1903 / 19th Century English Writer
May
22
Is Hawaii The Perfect Honeymoon Destination?
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Hawaii, with its picturesque blue sea, sandy beaches, and dramatic mountain scenery, is not surprisingly one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. A romantic Hawaiian honeymoon, at one of the many resorts, hotels and condos that cater to newlyweds, is the perfect way to create special memories for years to come and create that special post wedding bond.
With romantic surroundings, there are properties in all price ranges, from ultra luxury to budget. And should you decide to have the wedding in Hawaii as well, you can choose a wedding/honeymoon packages that includes a chapel or beach service, a delicious wedding banquet complete with music, and honeymoon lodging at an island resort hotel.
Upscale couples looking for privacy should consider the secluded Manele Bay Four Seasons Lanai. Located on the beach, on the pristine private island of Lanai, the resort borders a marine preserve, has exceptional ocean and coastline views, and offers an exclusive spa and fine dining.
But Hawaii weddings don’ have to be large expensive affairs and you may decide a simple civil ceremony in a romantic setting, say on a beach or in a fragrant garden.
Less expensive spots include The Outrigger Royal Kahana, with kitchen facilities, on Maui’s Kaanapali Beach, and the moderately priced Miramar, sited just a few blocks from the beach at Waikiki, surrounded by shops and restaurants, with good public transportation.
Photo Copyright Bruce Murray - Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii
On Kauai, The Princeville Resort, is an excellent luxury resort, or you might consider a more intimate surroundings of a condominium resort like as The Whalers Cove, in the Poipu Beach area, with its spacious units set on a secluded cove that is perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and diving.
Photo Copyright Bruce Murray - Maui, Hawaii
Maui offers several options if your looking for seclusion and luxury service, consider the smaller Hotel Hana Maui, with its plantation-style cottages complete with hot tubs. You can horseback ride along the Hana Coast, and relax afterward in their wonderful spa. Golfers could try the Kapalua Resort on the West Coast of Maui, where three championship golf courses will satisfy the keenest golfers.
A Hawaiian island honeymoon can be as unique as your interests. You can spend time on a remote beach, or experience the fun of shopping, dining and nightlife. The best time to visit Hawaii depends more on the location than any particular season. The leeward sides, the western and southern coasts, have the calmest waters and the driest and sunniest conditions.
Although rainfall is common throughout the year the rainy season is from November to April . During the winter, December to February, you will often find some stormy weather, although rain usually falls in short showers during daytime. The “high” travel seasons, when hotel rates can be higher, are between January and March, June and August, and during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.
May
19
One of every three online airline ticket buyers has had to deal with “breaching rules on clear pricing, availability of offers and clear contract terms” said the European Commission.
The European Commission is halfway finished with it’s investigation which has resulted in actions against 137 of 386 web sites monitored in a “sweep” last September. They also say that half of the sites have corrected their sites.
The report showed that over half of the violations were the result of web sites breaking down airline ticket prices to give the impression of cheaper fares without adding charges.
79 online airline ticket sites are still under investigation for advertising misleading prices. 21 for lack of availability of advertised offers, and another 67 for unfair contract terms, total 137 different sites.
If this is going on in Europe, wonder what the status of US travel sites is like. For more information on this investigation visit the EU’s Consumer Affairs site.
