TravelCommentator

Author: Carlo Irlitti

Opinion

Snippets

Every week (perhaps even twice a week) I’ll be adding a post with short comments called “Snippets”. Basically these “snippets” will be my response to what other people are saying about travel. This will include commenting on writers in major publications and anyone who leaves a post in their comments section or writes in a letter. It will be mostly my opinion, my slant. I may sound controversial or critical, I’ll try not to but sometimes it will have to be the case to get responses. Commenting will expand our views, hopefully getting to the bottom of things with suggestions, advice, etc. I’ll try not to mention the name of the article writer, the publication or of the commenters or the letter writers. I’ll...

Air Travel / Opinion

Airport Rage

Do airports really send people into a rage or is it just an unlucky coincidence anger happens there? Causes Getting frustrated at airports is understandable. I think we all have at some stage. There are a lot of things happening. The slow check-in process, the long lines, the scanning, probing, identity checks, being monitored, etc. They all take time. One needs to be constantly alert and aware of what’s going on, and be on your feet for a while. This can weigh on a person’s mind and can get tiring. I think many of us agree on these points. We would rather this whole operation be more streamlined if it were possible. The less time standing, waiting and snaking around queues the better. Then...

Air Travel / Opinion

Changi Airport COVID-19 Arrival Rules

I knew things wouldn’t be easy for international travellers with all the COVID restrictions, mandates and directives, which aren’t all the same everywhere, but after watching the YouTube video “Guide to on-arrival procedures at Changi Airport” released (on December 9) by Changi Airport, it truly demoralised me. It put me off travelling to Singapore, a place I love visiting. Now these are the rules required for entry into Singapore and not for those in transit at the airport which I understand are more relaxed, however there’s no mention what happens if someone tests positive and has to quarantine. Where will they do this, if it is a specified hotel(s) or in a purpose built facility and how long for and how much it is...

Art & Museums / Destinations

Pantheon, Rome

Ancient Roman temple, free and easily accessible in the centre of the city of Rome. The Pantheon dates back to 27BC and is the only temple of its kind and size. The pagan temple was converted to a Roman Catholic church in the seventh centrury, Santa Maria dei Martiri (informally known today as Santa Maria Rotonda) and has been in continuous use for mass on Sundays and on holy days of significance. Visiting on church service days it is best to wear the right attire and cover up to show respect. The Pantheon is a very popular attraction. I’ve been there several times and would recommend visiting in the off-season when you can expect smaller sized crowds. It will give you more time to...

Opinion

Air Crew No Jab No Fly…No Work!

Airlines are now thinking about getting their staff vaccinated against COVID-19. In Australia QANTAS has already said it will require all its frontline staff to be fully vaccinated if they want to continue to be employed. Now it seems that Virgin Australia will follow suit. The question is who exactly should be vaccinated? When they say frontline staff I would assume this to mean the pilots and flight attendants. I’d also assume it will be all the workers that have contact with travellers such as, check-in and boarding gate staff and lounge attendants. I’m not a hundred percent sure if that includes baggage handlers. Logically speaking they do get their hands on the passengers’ property, which may or may not have traces of the...

Opinion

F**K Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter…

My first post in a very long time. Why no posts? I have had many opportunities to comment and give my opinion on many travel related subjects but what has stopped me was COVID-19. No, I didn’t get infected and ill. It was the whole situation of travel being turned upside down. It basically took the wind out of my sails. I could’ve posted many opinion pieces but the mood wasn’t there.  So about the title and why am I writing this? I was compelled. I basically had enough and had to vent my displeasure. I’ve been so fed up hearing and seeing what Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, have been doing since the start of the COVID-19 (so called) pandemic. The bans, censorship...

Tips & Advice

Travel Planning

The best way to build up travel expectations is to plan things yourself…my opinion. Visiting and experiencing new places is exciting, but before getting there one has to plan. I find the organising and planning of travel inspiring. It gets me dreaming and itching to go. I like to research and plan on my own. So, I’ll scour the internet for all the info I can find on the place(s) I’ll be visiting and how I’ll get there and spend my time. Of course, I could get a travel consultant to do all the work but that would take away the fun of doing things myself and build up that expectation I mentioned in my introduction quote. Planning is not as hard as one...

Air Travel / Opinion

Pilotless planes…?

What would happen if a pilot – the captain or the second officer – became ill, incapacitated or even die? A problematic situation easily rectified. The remaining fit pilot is able to take the controls and land a plane single-handedly. They are trained for this kind of emergency in case it happens. However, there’s already talk of single-pilot and pilotless aircraft because of the foreseeable shortage of commercial pilots. The question is, what would happen then? Is it going to be fly-by-wire? If that’s the case then, will fly-by-wire be intercepted and hacked? I would rather know I have two pilots up front and, in worst case scenario one capable of flying the aircraft. If fly-by-wire is implemented it should only ever be part...

* Review / Accommodation

Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong

Relaxing Stay in Mong Kok My second stay at the Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, this time without my family. I contacted the hotel direct and booked like previously. Was given a Superior Room on the 26th floor. My four night stay was in late March 2019. Getting There On this occasion I was able to catch the K5 shuttle at the Kowloon MTR station as my flight from Singapore arrived on time and during daylight hours, so there was less chance of missing out on a shuttle. There was already a good crowd in the waiting area, so had to sit, wait and then line up. The shuttle then took about 40-45 to do its round of hotels before reaching its last stop at the...

* Review / Accommodation

Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong

Comfortable, Modern Hotel Stay Hong Kong This was a family trip to Hong Kong and I originally wanted all of us to stay on Hong Kong Island as I did the year before when I was there on my own, but as it worked out staying on the mainland close to Mong Kok was a good idea. During a routine doctor’s visit I mentioned Hong Kong to my GP and as a frequent visitor to Hong Kong he gave me some pointers. He prefers to stop over in Hong Kong instead of elsewhere in SE Asia or in the Gulf states when he travels to Europe and back. He said he enjoys staying in Kowloon surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the more...

* Review / Shopping

Plaza Singapura, Singapore

My favourite shopping complex in Singapore which I visit regularly. Its close proximity to where I usually stay in Singapore makes it easy to get to. I take the MRT from Bras Basah to Dhoby Ghaut, one stop on the Circle Line, walk upstairs through B1 and B2 and you’re into the mall. All the eateries are in B1 and B2. Other places to eat are in the Atrium which is connected to Plaza Singapura on several levels, starting from the ground floor. Both the Atrium and Plaza Singapura face Orchard Road. At Singapura I’ve bought collectables from Play United* and Simply Toys for my kids. Also sandals and t-shirts from the stalls on the ground floor, a cabin case, laptop/messenger bag, backpack and...

* Review / Trains / Transport

Leonardo Express

Efficient and hassle-free train service This is not so much a review, as I’ve done that twice before, but some comments and pointers. Just so to know, I have used this service for many years and continue to use it every time I arrive and leave Rome. It’s not the cheapest, but I find it to be the most efficient and hassle-free. So… I find it hard to believe some people rate the service very lowly. First of all the Leonardo Express is a train service. It runs to and from the Rome airport at Fiumicino. It’s called Express because there are no stops in between. It’s not a bullet train. It’s not the Orient Express either. Occasionally it will not run at full...

* Review / Eatery

Astor Deep Pan Pizza, Copenhagen

Very Good Cheap All You Can Eat Pizza & Salad We went past this place several times before we realised it was worth a visit. We had seen their ad in the Red Buses Hop-on Hop-off brochure, but what compelled us to eat here was the price of the lunchtime meal, all you can eat pizza and salad at DKK77 per person. The restaurant is located under the Astoria Hotel not far from Copenhagen central station. It’s not the flashiest place, but it was clean and it kept us out of the cold and rain. We came in through the Vesterbrogade entrance and were welcomed by the waitress. There was four of us, two adults and two children. With the all you can eat...

* Review / Places

Le Mura di Lucca

The Symbol of Lucca The massive fortified walls and ramparts that surround the old town of Lucca are what sets it apart from all other Italian towns. It’s the symbol of this charming place. I never cease to enjoy a stroll here, even after many years of visiting Lucca. Definitely one of my favourite spots anywhere to relax. It’s great all year round for walks and jogging, but probably the best way to enjoy “le mura” is by bike at a leisurely pace. Bikes can be hired from several places. Poli and Bizzarri are two of them. Both in Piazza Santa Maria, inside the walls near Porta Santa Maria. Another place is the Tourist Center Lucca, in Piazza Bettino Ricasoli, near Lucca railway station....

* Review / Transport

Singapore Airlines SQ278/SQ279, SQ324, SQ365

Flew six flights with Singapore Airlines over September, October and November 2017. Four of them as a family of four. The other two, with my son. All flown in Economy Class. All these flights, as I expected, were a pleasure to fly on. SIA’s product is consistent. Very little changes between aircraft types, the quality of service offered, the type of seats, how they are configured, the food served and the type of IFE. One bonus, the newer aircraft (Airbus A350) don’t have the annoying entertainment box (IFE) under one of the seats. A real relief. Here are the flights we took. SQ278/SQ279 These are the daily flights Adelaide-Singapore and Singapore-Adelaide. SIA operates the Airbus A330-300* with the 2-4-2 configuration in Economy Class and...