TravelCommentator

Air Travel / Opinion

Inconsiderate Passenger: Seat Jerking

On my last flight SIN-ADL—a flight of about 6 hours and 30 minutes give or take 5-10 minutes—I had to endure an annoying restless person sitting behind me who kept poking, touching and banging into the back of my seat. She did this all the way through the first 3 hours of the flight when the lights were dimmed, the time best suited to rest. The flight left Singapore on time at 23:40. All the backwards and forwards motion of the headrest gave me a headache. I told her to stop moving around and hitting the chair. She seemed to have understood me and shortly afterwards just before the lights came on she was asleep. The nerve and so irritating. Some people...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

The Worst Seat Becomes the Best in the House

Can the worst seat in Economy Class actually become the best? You may ask, “how can that be so?” Well this happened to a female passenger on my return flight from Rome (FCO) to Singapore (SIN) in late January this year. The exact same seat that I labelled the worst seat ever (see my article “The Worst Seat Imaginable”) about a year ago when I flew in the opposite direction SIN-FCO. On that flight I took a gamble. I moved from the seat I had previously chosen, way back in the middle tail section, to the forward section. At the time when selecting this seat, around 48 hours before flight departure, the row was empty. I chose the aisle seat just in...

Air Travel / Opinion / Technology / Tips & Advice

Turbulence, Avoidance and Legalities

Turbulence is becoming a real issue flying, especially on long haul flights where there’s more chance of it happening. I won’t get into the scientific or technical explanation of how and why turbulence happens and whether it is exacerbated by climate change, etc. I’m more interested whether the passengers aboard flights can be notified visually of bad weather (and the possibility of turbulence) instead of being warned by a chime and a seat belt sign lighting up. Before take off the captain or co-pilot make an announcement—the one where they welcome you on board and give some general info on the flight including if there’s chance of bad weather or turbulence, etc.,—is the only time, except when required during the flight, the...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Medicines: Preparing for the Unexpected

A recent trip to Europe made me realise my lack of planning regarding health and whether I should have taken any medications with me as a precaution. Of course I was super confident I’d be fine and thought I’d be immune from any of the usual nasties, like a cold, a sore throat, etc. What made me think this way? Well, throughout the “COVID-19 pandemic” I was fine. No colds, no sore throats, no fevers and no coughs, etc. I did get something but didn’t get tested to see whether it was COVID or not. It did feel different and it wasn’t like any cold or influenza (which I haven’t had for probably 30 years) so it made me think this has...

Air Travel / Opinion

Plus Size People on a Plane

Every now and then a post or video crops up on social media, whether parody or serious, about being large bodied or overweight and how this affects them (and to a lesser extent others) while flying in Economy Class. There’s a recent video I happen to catch on X of a woman having a whinge. Hard to say if she was serious or it was tongue in cheek. A mild mannered one anyhow. She goes on, “I’m plus-size and on a plane”…then demonstrates the difficulties she has to face starting with the tray table saying, “of course I can’t put the tray table down”. Then goes on about having to have the smallest member of her family (little boy) sit adjacent in...

Opinion

My (Pre-) Travel Pet Peeves

And I have many…Some I’ve already mentioned in my posts regarding etiquette but the two that frustrate me the most are during preparations for travel. I do love organising trips and the excitement and expectations it brings but packing for a trip and emptying the fridge cause me undue stress. Packing for some people can be fun and I know I’ve written about it. If you go by a checklist you can’t go wrong. The only real issues are climate and the weather at the destination(s) and the activities one is going to partake in, whether it’s skiing, mountain climbing, snorkelling, trekking, etc. Pretty simple, but for me it is the decision making and time factor. It would be great to take...

* Review / Accommodation

Hub by Premier Inn King’s Cross London

This was our first time in a hotel run by Premier Inn and I can say I was impressed. When looking for a place to stay close to St Pancras International on Euston Road, I looked at three other Premier Inns close by but in the end opted for the more modern styled Hub, thanks also to the reviews and the price. In fact when I looked up what were the best hotels in the UK, the Premier Inns scored very well.

Airports / Opinion

24 Hours In Changi Not A Problem But How About 96 Hours?

This crazy idea came to me when I was thinking about my up-and-coming four day trip to Singapore. Could I perhaps forego the reason why I’m travelling there and spend that time inside the terminals at Changi Airport instead? We know there are some long layovers at airports, but for some Australian travellers, in particular those travelling to and from Adelaide with Singapore Airlines, like me, this happens quite a lot. Especially the all-day layover when arriving early morning in Singapore from Europe and then departing (on the same day) at 23:35 on flight SQ279. This can entail layovers of approximately 18 hours either spent at the airport or a quick trip to a city hotel. We know Changi is a great...

Apartments / Tips & Advice / Vacation Rentals

Clean Rentals Make For Better Vacations

If you are looking for a holiday rental (or as the Americans call them, vacation rentals) in the USA and cleanliness is your main concern then renting from a select list of properties managed by a professional cleaning company is the way to go. Many properties run by Airbnb and HomesToGo are cleaned professionally by MaidThis, a company that specialises in cleaning holiday rentals. The company employs vetted professional cleaners and applies its process meticulously from a pre-determined checklist that is strictly adhered to ensuring tasks are organised, cleaners stay on track and nothing is overlooked. Knowing hotel accommodation is cleaned on a regular basis, rooms cleaned and linen changed every day, you’d expect holiday rentals be given the same treatment. Of...

Opinion

ITB Asia 2024

ITB Asia is Asia’s largest business to business travel show where many deals are initiated and signed between buyers and sellers of travel related services and products. Tourism authorities, destination management companies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, travel technology companies all attend. It will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore in late October. I’m hoping to attend this year’s event, my first since 2019, again as a member of the media. My interest in the trade show lies mainly with the individual national tourism boards and with some of the DMCs. Especially if there are any new destinations, products and services that need media attention. Anything the travel consumer would find appealing and tour operators and travel agents...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Anti-Bacterial Wipes a Necessity in the Cabin, Definitely

Some will be thinking, “I won’t be taking any wipes with me and do the cleaning others should have done for me”. I’ll guarantee you, you will get strange looks from other passengers if you start doing the wiping and cleaning after sitting down in your seat. They do it to make you feel out of place as most won’t bother. But there is no dodging this fact; airline pilots and cabin crew recommend antibacterial wipes. Why? Because they know their workplace and know what goes on. Do I agree with them? Wholeheartedly even though I haven’t asked them specifically. I have always suspected the airplane cabin to be a place that harboured bacteria. I can tell you this through observation. Others...

Apartments

An airbnb Alternative in Hong Kong: Weave Living

Since the permanent closure of the Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, a hotel I have stayed in twice and reviewed here, this hotel has been transformed into small apartments for short to long term use. The room sizes have remained the same as before with the only difference being the remodelling that’s added new fixtures, furniture and revitalised the decor. In the past when this property was a hotel it enjoyed good patronage and was very popular especially with mainland Chinese and SE Asian clientele. Those prosperous times ended when the political and social unrests of 2019 and COVID-19 in early 2020, in particular, hit the hotel hard. The property was put on the market and was acquired by investors and since has been...

* Review / Tips & Advice / Trains / Transport

Leonardo Express

Another short review about the best way to travel between Rome’s airport at Fiumicino and central Rome at the Roma Termini railway station. I have used this service virtually every time I am in Rome and I cannot fault it. It’s not cheaper than catching one of the bus services that run the same route to Roma Termini. If time is important the Leonardo Express is the best solution as the buses take about twice as long to get to Fiumicino and traffic can be a problem depending on the time of day. Also the buses do not run as frequent. Taxis are expensive and Ubers although more competitive are still prone by those road issues. If your destination is not...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

The Risks FAs Take on The Job Deserves Respect

The recent events of severe turbulence on two flights Singapore Airlines SQ 321 (London to Singapore) on the 21st of May and Qatar Airways QR017 (Doha to Dublin) on the 26th of May, has highlighted the dangers of being a Flight Attendant (FA). Yes, passengers did get hurt some severely with one elderly person dying from a heart attack, but cabin crew do this everyday with higher probability of getting injured while making sure passengers are safe. Their job is not all rosy and glamorous as some may think. They work very hard. Passengers need to understand this. Next time you fly please spare a thought for the FAs and what they have to endure while doing their job and the risks...

Newsletter in mail box

Loyalty / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Hotel Memberships and Newsletters: Their Value

Just recently one of the hotel chains based in South East Asia, Far East Hospitality, sent me an email with a discount voucher. It was a nice surprise. They valued me as a member, even though I haven’t been that loyal. My last stay with them was many years ago. It’s not because of their product, which is good, it’s just that I’ve stayed elsewhere during this time. Just after that stay I signed up to their loyalty programme and newsletter which I receive regularly and keeps me informed of their products, services, promotions and new hotels. This particular email was sent to all their members celebrating “Members’ Day”. A promotion they do every year during the month of May. A nice...

* Review / Luggage

High Sierra Access 3.0 Eco Backpack

The perfect carry-on backpack with plenty of space Preparing for my recent trip to Italy I was in two minds whether to take my current backpack, a Slavenger bought in Singapore used many times or go for something slightly bigger. The Slazenger is still going strong. It’s good quality and has plenty of compartments and pockets, including room for a laptop, tablet and smartphone(s). Because I was travelling in the middle of winter and carrying heavier clothes I thought I should go for something with extra space so I decided to look for a bigger backpack. As I am doing more shopping online I checked a few luggage places and Amazon to compare prices and delivery. I found Myer (the Australian retailer)...

* Review / Accommodation

Meininger Roma Termini

This was my third visit to the Meininger Roma Termini hotel. Like in the past I enjoyed my stay. Here are some details… Location The location of the hotel is one of the best reasons to stay here. It’s in a safe area close to many amenities. The Roma Termini railway station central to much of Rome’s public transport: fast trains, regional, suburban, metro and buses, is 5-7 mins walk away; Castro Pretorio underground station a hundred or so metres; and the CONAD City Supermarket 200 metres down the road in Piazza dell’Indipendenza where you can acquire food to be prepared and consumed at the hotel. The footpaths to and from the hotel are mostly better than other areas around the...

Air Travel / Loyalty / Tips & Advice

Is Pursuing Status Worth It?

There are various perspectives to whether status is worth its weight…in Gold. It can be complicated. The simplest answer; does the individual see value in chasing status? Holding on to it is also a challenge. So the question beckons. Is it worth it?

Air Travel / Tips & Advice

Losing my iPhone at Fiumicino Airport

A moment I never thought would happen to me; losing my iPhone. Something I would dread to experience again… Like many people today we carry our lives on our smartphones. We are so dependent on them for most of our daily tasks: phone calls, messages, email, notifications, banking, air and train travel, identification, etc. To make matters worse most of the world around you requires a smart device to actually get things done. What would we do without them? This is why if your smartphone goes missing you are in a jam. The feeling of helplessness will overcome you, but, there is no place for panicking. A level head is required. As long as the smartphone is missing or lost and not...

* Review / Chauffeur & Taxi Services / Tips & Advice / Transport

My first experience with Uber

I don’t usually catch taxis (cabs) on my travels, whether it is going to and from the airport or for general transport between places I visit. I tend to always catch public transport when it is convenient. However with luggage in tow not all public transport is suitable. Trains from airports to central stations are fine. Most places I’ve visited have this well sorted and just to name a few: Athens, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Singapore, Hong Kong… I have caught taxis too in the past in Barcelona, Hong Kong, Rome…, but I think unless they are the only option I now have an alternative. One I didn’t really fancy trying before. When travelling between home and the airport and back I...

Opinion

Travel Bug: Is there such a thing?

Yes, but it is not a real bug, or a disease or some other ailment. It is an urge, a feeling that comes over you and lingers in your body for a while. It’s there after you’ve returned back home to the everyday repetitive routines that makes life what it is. This mental state enacts itself just after the first withdrawal symptoms. We all get this as soon as we realise our travel adventure is over. Some get it on the return flight home. Others when they open the front door and realise they are back to what they had escaped. No matter how, it hits you, and then…the so called “travel bug” bites. The urge to get back to travelling and...

Opinion

After Four Years…

Yes, that’s how long it has been since my last international flight or for that matter any travel overseas. To be precise it was since November 2019 just before COVID-19 was officially announced. I have my personal and very strong opinion about COVID, the pandemic and the restrictions on travel. I won’t get into a discussion or detail here otherwise the post will not be about travel…I’ll say no more. How did I go? Better than I expected. I did stuff up a few minor things mostly due to stress rather than not remembering how to do things. My mind was always on matters happening back home. I had read an article a while back how COVID affected a travel writer who...