Ash clouds and chaos

As reports that the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption is strengthening and throwing more ash into the air, I wondered what travel tips have been published to help troubled travelers.

In doing so, I came across the Wikipedia page about the air travel disruption that is looking to summarize what's happening where. V. useful. I did find it worrying though that the page had the year in its title. When World War I was taking place, it was called The Great War to End All Wars. Patently the original page developer believes that this scene is all set to be reenacted sometime in the future...

I also came across the Lonely Planet article that gives tongue in cheek advice to those in one of three situations: stuck in Europe, stuck at home waiting to go to (or through) Europe or (worst of all) stuck in an airport/transit hub.

The sad thing out of all of this have been the hotel chains that are taking advantage of people's plights...

Quelle Mauvais Voyage!

Travel Tip: Car pooling has suddenly become popular and sites like Hitchhikers, LiftShare, RoadSharing and Sharling have all taken off as flights haven't. And if you need a room? Try CouchSurfing or The Hospitality Club. Good luck!

17 things that niggle

While the article's a bit old now, the 17 worst indignities that you suffer on a plane listed by CNNGo are still very valid. Love the graphic from the article!

Bon Voyage!

Travel Tip: If you are stuck next to someone that is seriously overweight, complain to the stewardess after the airplane has taken off and away from your seat. Be polite and apologetic to the woman, and you may even get an upgrade if the flight's relatively full. Resist the urge to make loud comments about some people being forced to buy two seats.

Up in the Air

Finally got around to seeing this. And there were more than a couple of moments (e.g. the quip about the HiltonHonors priority line) that resonated. Loved the film, but am so so grateful that I have my hubby and am not walking into a shell of a home à la Ryan Bingham.

Bon Voyage!

Travel Tip: Click through to RyansRulesofTravel.com to see the tips imparted in the film and add your own. A lot of the ones added by the general public are rubbish, but some are quite useful. My fav. was that at the TSA line, you should put your belongings on the conveyor belt in the following order: jacket, shoes, laptop, purse, carry on bag. You can put your jacket and shoes on while your purse and bag are being scanned (and rescanned). Now why didn't I think of that before?

Inspired again...

For those of you who frequented my musings before and are slightly confused by the change in content, I would like to explain what happened. I deleted it all. It was sooo liberating!

Originally inspired by style icon Rita Konig's blog, Girl About Town (now extinct), I intended to record some of my favourite places around Asia (and elsewhere) as I travelled.

However as life and the 2008/9 financial crisis intervened, my postings became haphazard in terms of content and timing, and eventually slowed to a standstill. My blog lacked purpose and my resolve to publish regularly eventually vanished.

But I missed the opportunity to write and, as a result, my blog is being reincarnated. While some of my favourite content will be re-published under the new guise, I'm hoping that a new focus on travel (only) and an imparting of some of the words of advice that I've heeded over the years will give my blog a new lease of life and a structure that will appeal.

Bon Voyage!

Travel Tip: Fold jackets for travel by turning one of the shoulders inside out and tucking it into other shoulder. Straighten the sleeves and lapels and fold in half. Place on top of everything else in your case and hang it up as soon as you arrive at your destination.