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Travel Blog
Which Hawaii Do You Want? Maui? 11/30/2005 2:16:53 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment The readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine voted Maui “Best Island in the World” in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Award Poll for 11 straight years. Maybe it’s because of the island’s postcard-perfect views, or the friendliness of its people, or its amazing ability to melt away the stresses of everyday life. Or maybe it’s the luxurious accommodations, rejuvenating spas, or tempting world-class cuisine. More likely than not, the true answer is “all of the above.”
Maui is one of those magical destinations that appeals to everyone from active families and honeymooners to outdoor adventure enthusiasts and beach bum wanna-be’s. Given the island’s irresistible mix of exotic scenery, fun adventures, and intriguing history and culture, it’s easy to see why visitors to Maui find it so difficult to leave.
Among the many attractions are Mt. Haleakula. The view from the top is spectacular. Many folks ride bikes down from the top. There are many vendors who will take you to the top and rent the bike equipment to you. Take a jacket - don't let the warm weather down below fool you.
Lahaina is a great place to visit and walk around. It has a lot of "old" Hawaii character to it. I believe the Old Lahaina Luau is the best one on the islands. It certainly has an authentic feel to it. There is a free, self guided walking tour around Lahaina.
Another uniquely Maui experience is driving the road to Hana. Try to make sure you are not the driver. Better yet, take a tour and let someone else drive. There are many, many one lane bridges and the road has no straight sections along its length. The scenery is great, but the driver will never get to enjoy it. Another suggestion, pack a picnic lunch. Food options at Hana are limited.
One of my favorites attractions is the Maui Aquarium. It is close to Kahului. Plan on spending a long morning or afternoon there.
Of course snorkeling is popular and a good spot for the families is at the north end of Kaanapali beach near the Sheraton, or my favorite at Kapalua Bay. Parking near Kapalua Bay is hard to find but it is worth the effort, as the view at the bay is great and the snorkeling very good.
Maui is known for its golf courses, especially around Kapalua. In fact, all the major islands have great golfing opportunities.
In summary Maui is a place where you can just kick back and relax, but with so much to do, it is a favorite with people who like to keep busy every minute.
| Which Hawaii Do You Want? Oahu? 11/29/2005 12:15:54 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment I love the winter, with bright sunshine on white snow and the sound of skis turning in powder. However, there is also the winter of leaden gray skies, cold raw wind, and general gloom. When that winter arrives my mind departs for Hawaii.
Because Hawaii is an island state, it presents the visitor with several faces. Oahu is the home of Waikiki, and is the first place many mainlanders see when they fly to Hawaii. Waikiki is very active with lots of shopping, dining, culture, and art and entertainment opportunities for even the most sophisticated travelers. Waikiki is a beautiful sandy beach with great people watching opportunities.
Did I mention the view from Diamond Head? How about a visit to the War Memorial? Do you like world class surfing? If so, the North Shore is a must for you. Save a day to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. It costs a few bucks, but is very much worth the price.
It’s also well worth a drive to Kailua and Lanikai to see why these spectacular spots have been named two of the top beaches in the world. Why take someone else’s word for it? Explore them yourself and take a family poll on how great they really are.
Bring or rent snorkeling gear, and visit the marine sanctuary at Hanauma Bay that offers a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish. Its location in the crater of an extinct volcano creates the ideal conditions for coral and other native marine life to thrive. Elvis fans will also appreciate the fact that scenes from his movie “Blue Hawai'i” were filmed here.
There’s probably no better way to take in O’ahu’s scenic wonders than by hitting the open road. A drive over the Pali Highway offers unforgettable views of the windward side of the island. The history here is just as unforgettable. The breathtaking Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout is the site where the legendary Hawaiian King Kamehameha the Great fought one of his most famous battles. This is the very spot where he literally drove his opponents “over the edge.”
By now you should be getting the idea. Oahu is high energy and active, but with opportunities to explore paradise in a quiet way. As with the rest of Hawaii, it is family friendly. It doesn't matter if you are bringing your kids or your new bride (or groom), you will have a great time.
Check back later and I'll give you my take on the other islands - the other "Hawaii's" that you can explore.
| Happy Thanksgiving 11/24/2005 2:29:46 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment Hopefully this day finds you surrounded by family and friends. Whether you are at home or away for Thanksgiving, I wish you health, happiness, and the warm companionship of those who are close to you.
Please remember those in our armed forces who cannot be home on this day, but whose efforts for us and our country allow us to enjoy this special holiday. I thank them for their generous gift.
Happy Thanksgiving! | I hope your travels are going well 11/23/2005 7:50:44 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment I sure hope that you had a chance to read my earlier suggestions. Looking at the news reports on TV it looks like the airports and roads in the East and Mid-west had their share of bad weather and delays.
Myself, I just returned from a 3-day ski trip to Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR. I experienced fog and freezing mist both coming and going. Each way I saw semi-trucks lying on their sides in the ditch beside the road. Nevertheless, I still saw drivers who drove their normal 10-15 miles over the speed limit because that is what they do.
I also had the pleasure of seeing at least one of those drivers pulled over by two, not one, but two state police vehicles.
By the way I ended up skiing under clear blue skies, with air temperatures in the 40's. We were above the inversion layer that kept the stay at homes in the fog and mist.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving with those who are most important to you. | Try a little kindness 11/19/2005 4:36:47 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment As I picked up our local paper today, the front page had a large picture of people in our local airport waiting in line to be rebooked, because their flights had been delayed or cancelled due to fog. At your airport the delays could be due to snow, sleet, or other normal weather conditions for this time of the year.
Perhaps the most frustrating delay occurs when your airport is enjoying beautiful weather, but the airport your scheduled flight is arriving from is experiencing bad weather, causing it to be delayed or cancelled.
So, you arrived early, checked in, got the best seat assignments that you could, and now you find you have to rebook your flight, and you are in the back of a long line of people with the same dilemma. Many of these people are now in a foul mood (or will be as soon as they find out they cannot get to their desired location anywhere near on time).
What can you do? Really, there is not much you can do besides taking a deep breath, and putting a big smile on your face. Your smile will have one of two effects - both of them positive (for you). The first is that it will make those who see your smile feel better and help them keep a bright outlook. The second is that those who see your smile may think you are a nut case. Most people do not want to arouse a nut case, so they will leave you alone and go annoy someone else.
Seriously, if you can do anything to help those around you stay composed, it can only help everyone. It is the tantrum throwers who cause the biggest delays in these stressful situations.
I know this works, as I was stranded in the Amsterdam airport on September 11, 2001. Talk about a stressful situation. Yet at that time I saw large groups of people behaving in exceptionally good and helpful ways. Folks knew they didn't have the power to change our situation, so the mindset was on seeking out those around us who needed some additional help. People were very kind and helpful and I saw or heard very few tantrums in the 3 plus days I was stranded there. Those who did "lose it" were quickly put straight in non-threatening ways and calm was restored.
Its an old cliche, but try a little kindness, it does work. | Passengers Encouraged to Pack Patience and Checklist This Holiday Season 11/17/2005 1:21:54 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment I found this helpful article in a newsletter for travel professionals called Travel Wire News. It bears reviewing if you are going to fly over the coming holidays.
Below they talk about using TSA approved locks to lock your bags. What I have found to be best is to use brightly colored zip ties. You can get them at your friendly hardware store. If someone wants to get into your bags they will do so even with a lock - they are disgustingly easy to open. The colored zip tie at least allows you to quickly see if your bag has been opened. The TSA will replace it with a white one. If it has been opened, then check immediately after retrieving your bag. If the TSA opened your bag, they will leave a notice in it. If there is no notice, check your valuables and report any theft before leaving the airport. One tip though, your will need to cut the zip tie to open your bag, so put a small knife or scissors in the outside pocket of the bag - one that is not locked.
TSA Seeks Public's Help to Keep Security Lines Moving
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 /-- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today urged air travelers to plan ahead for air travel security procedures this holiday season. The agency expects heavy passenger volume throughout the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays.
To minimize delays, TSA has created a Holiday Checklist so passengers can prepare for the screening process. By following a few simple guidelines, travelers can help make passenger screening as efficient as possible.
"TSA's security officers' primary focus is ensuring the security of the traveling public," said Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley. "We're asking the traveling public to contribute to the effort and the Holiday Checklist is a great resource to use in planning your next trip."
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) also emphasizes preparedness as the key to successful holiday travel.
"The typical busy travel seasons means passengers should be prepared and security-ready when they arrive at the airport," said ACI-NA president Greg Principato. "Passengers will have a better experience if they have important travel documents out, coats and jackets off, and carry-on items ready for inspection prior to reaching the security checkpoints."
A few other important items to note:
* TSA's checkpoint protocols require all passengers to remove outer coats
and jackets for X-ray before proceeding through the metal detectors.
That includes suit and sport coats, athletic warm-up jackets and
blazers. If a jacket or blazer is being worn as the innermost garment
-- not over a blouse or sweater, for example -- it does not have to
come off.
* Passengers who attempt to take firearms and ammunition through the
checkpoint in their carry-on luggage continue to be a problem. More
than 3,000 firearms had been intercepted since TSA assumed
responsibility for security at the nation's 450 airports in February
2002. Nationwide, ammunition is intercepted more than 2,000 times each
month. All firearms and ammunition must be declared to airline ticket
agents and properly stored in checked baggage.
* When traveling with children, a discussion in advance of airport
security may be helpful. At the checkpoint, children will need to
temporarily part with such things as blankets and stuffed animals, and
older children need to know that any comment suggesting a threat to an
aircraft or its passengers is taken seriously by TSA security officers.
Air travelers can help ensure the security process is smooth by following the Holiday Checklist available at http://www.tsa.gov/. The Web site has a prohibited items list, advice for packing, and information on what types of jewelry, shoes or clothing may set off a metal detector. TSA has also partnered with airlines and airports to make the checklist available at airport ticket counters and on airline Web sites.
Other important TSA travel tips include:
* Travel with unwrapped gifts. If a wrapped gift sets off an alarm, TSA
security officers will need to unwrap the gift to resolve the alarm.
* To minimize the risk of damage or loss, don't pack fragile or valuable
items in checked baggage. Take them with you in carry-on baggage, or
ship them to your destination instead.
* Put undeveloped film in carry-on baggage because equipment used to
screen checked baggage will damage film. Also, high-speed and
specialty film should not be put through X-ray machines, so passengers
may ask security officers at the checkpoint to physically inspect film.
* Remember to put identification tags in and on all baggage including
laptops.
* Everyone, even frequent fliers, should double check the contents of
their pockets and bags, particularly carry-on luggage, to ensure no
prohibited items were inadvertently packed.
* Don't over pack bags. If security officers have to open them, closing
overstuffed bags can be difficult and may result in that checked bag
being delayed until a later flight.
* If TSA security officers need to open a locked bag for inspection, they
may have to break the lock. If you choose to lock your bag, we
recommend using a TSA-approved lock, which has a locking system that
enables security officers to open and relock the bag. | How to get the best airplane seats 11/16/2005 9:11:34 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment Airline travel has become more and more uncomfortable for the coach passenger. I am 6 ft. 6 inches tall – believe me I know how uncomfortable it can be!
When you fly you want to give yourself every advantage to get the best seats, or at least avoid the worst seats. Well I have a tip for you. Go to http://seatguru.com/home.shtml , and you will find color coded, interactive seat maps by airline and airplane model. By moving your mouse over the seat map, messages pop up to tell you the issues you may have with a particular seat.
At first you may be a little confused about the difference between a 737-200 and a 737-800, but there is a way around that. Just look for your flight on the airline’s web site and it will have a seat map. By looking at how many rows are in the plane you will be able to get to the right map on SeatGuru.
If you booked with a travel agent tell them which seats you want. If you booked yourself, just pick the seats you found on SeatGuru.
What if you can’t avoid a really bad seat selection when you are booking your flights? Don’t despair; the airlines hold back about 30% of the seats for assignment at the check in desk. Just check in early and come armed with your list of desirable seats as well as the list of seats you definitely do not want.
| Check your flights and times the day before you fly 11/15/2005 7:05:01 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment I have always told folks to be sure to confirm your flights and times the day before your flight, but personally I forgot to check my own flights more than I remembered. NOT ANY MORE.
The airlines are deleting "unprofitable" flights in significant numbers. This makes good business sense. You and I would do that if we owned the airline. However, they are not being very good about telling passengers who have already booked flights that the one they booked is no longer flying. Sure they rebook you, but...
Recently, I was flying Airline XXX and my wife checked on our flights the evening prior and they had put us on a differnt flight 2 hours EARLIER, than the one we had booked. No phone call, no email, nothing but silence from the airline.
Now I am always at the airport 2 hours prior to my flight time. Friends and clients think I am a little nuts to go so early, but it has saved me much grief over time, and I usually get some uninterrupted reading time. If my wife had not checked, I would have arrived just in time to see my flight depart.
Leaving later than originally scheduled, while not as serious in its consequences, still is not a good thing with airport ambience being what it is. I would just as soon stay someplace comfortable if my flight is going to be delayed several hours.
It takes only a few minutes and could save you much grief to check your flights and times the day before. | Welcome 11/14/2005 4:56:53 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment Welcome to Travelers Trails new travel blog. I am going to try to make this blog interesting fun and useful to you, the traveler.
We all know that a good web master can make a resort that is in fact pretty shabby look like a 5 Star resort. What I am going to do is give you the perspective of a fellow traveler. I don't pretend to know everything about every place, but I will share what I do know as honestly as I can. You want to have a good experience when you travel and you want to get a good return on your travel dollar. Me too! I want just as much value for my travel dollar as the next guy.
I sell travel and I, of course, hope that you may buy some of your vacation components from me. But that is not why I am writing this blog. I love to travel. I love to talk about travel. I also get lots of information from numerous travel related sites and experts, more than you could have the time to read. Whatever I find noteworthy, I will pass along in this blog. If I generate questions by doing this, feel free to contact me and ask me those questions.
If you want me to post something specific here, let me know, and if I have some information worth sharing generally, then I will post it.
Join me. I will try to make it a fun trip. | |
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