Do you remember your first kiss? Or the thrill you got from doing something a little naughty when the grownups weren’t watching? Or the rush you received from your first roller-coaster ride? Of course you do.
It may have happened a long time ago, and it was over in seconds, but you’ll never forget it. And every time you remember it, it makes you feel happy and good about yourself.
A short time ago, I wrote a blog post about my experience with the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Bangkok.
In summary, I filled in an online survey in which, on average, I gave them a score of 8 out of 10. Apparently they weren’t pleased with this, and wanted to know what was wrong.
So I wrote back and said nothing was wrong, I just usually don’t give out marks of 9 and 10.
Now they’ve written to me again, asking specifically about what was wrong with their internet.
What makes a travel experience great? Is it the comfort of your first-class airline seat or your six-star hotel bed?
Is it the availability of premium food or drink? Or is it, quite simply, the people who look after you?
If the Loch Ness Monster didn’t exist — and it almost certainly doesn’t — it would be necessary to invent it.
Why? Because an entire branch of the Scottish tourism industry relies on it.
While I have travelled a lot, for the past four years I have pitched my metaphorical tent in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
One of the things that I like about this place is the fact that I feel that both I and my property is safe. There are few other places in the world where I would leave my mobile phone or other belongings on the table at a restaurant or bar when I go to the rest room. But in the UAE, I have complete confidence that they will be there when I return.
Similarly, I don’t fret about going home and finding my flat ransacked, and I don’t fear being mugged on the streets regardless of how late I am out and about.
So, what makes a city safe? Continue reading What makes a city safe?
When you travel a lot, you can’t avoid the feeling that booking a trip is a one-sided affair.
At the moment, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators and the like offer a product at a price, and you decide to accept it or not.
But what if it were the other way round?
Everyone who has ever flown has had to endure a safety demonstration, usually a video that is played just before takeoff.
I use the word “endure” advisedly. Even though many airlines are going to great eforts and expense to make these videos entertaining, it is clearly in vain. The fact is that nobody likes them and nobody is paying attention.
I’m an Australian who lives in the Middle East. During a travel stopover in Bangkok, I received a social-media message from a Filipino friend wishing me a happy Thanksgiving.
Now, I’m a great one for celebrations, and I like to see other people happy. Be it Eid, Christmas or Diwali, or any other religious festival, or a national day, I’m happy to acknowledge the occasion with those who hold it dear. But Thanksgiving is a tricky one.
I’m on the move again. There will be more words soon, but first, some pictures from the past few weeks spent in Australia.
Question: when is a holiday not a holiday?
Answer: well, it depends on where you live.
I love old books for many reasons, including the fact that they are reminders of how things change.
During my visit to Australia, I was happy to stumble upon the New Australian World Atlas, which my family used as reference book when I was very young.
I am a big fan of loyalty schemes, but I’m the first to admit that I’m no expert.
There are entire websites devoted to helping you make the most out of frequent-flyer and hotel memberships, and the credit cards that link to them.
If you really want to maximise your points, and you are prepared to change banks, juggle many cards at once and go slightly crazy doing it, I suggest you check them out. Lucky’s One Mile At A Time blog is a good place to start. You’ll be amazed at how he manages to make the system work for him, often resulting in spectacular upgrades and free trips. But it’s a full-time job. Continue reading It pays to know the rules
While credit and debit cards have made things a lot easier, there’s always a need for travellers to have cash — and getting the right amount can be a nightmare.
For starters, changing money is always fraught. You can be assured that you’re going to lose on the deal. Even those exchange booths that promise “no commission” are paying their way (and then some) somehow, and that’s by charging you an unfavourable rate.
Many people will be aware of this video made by American actor Johnny Depp and his now-ex-wife Amber Heard about Australia’s strict quarantine laws.
The video was made as part of a deal when the couple faced charges for brining their dogs, Pistol and Boo, into Australia illegally. Their awakwardness is probably explained by the deteriorating relationship between the couple, but it also may indicate a lack of commitment to the words they are speaking.
The French are arrogant, the English are miserable, Scots are tight with their money, Australians are boorish drunks, Italians are dangerously passionate, Americans are loud know-it-alls …
If you agree with any of these statements, then you’re guilty of buying into stereotypes. While it’s true that stereotypes develop from a grain of truth or experience, they too often get exaggerated and disguise a very important fact about humanity.
After their hotel stays, many guests receive an online survey asking them to rate the service and facilities.
I have a problem with these surveys — they are often too detailed, too long and too time-consuming; they often demand answers to questions that are irrelevant to the respondent; and they require some of us to think in ways we may not normally think.
Update: The closure of GoMA, as addressed in this blog post, was the topic of a spot on radio station 612 ABC Brisbane. Hear Brett Debritz talk to Spencer Howson here.
When I was a child growing up in Brisbane, the Brisbane River was the big divide. If you were born on the north side, as I was, you rarely travelled south of the river. If you born on the south, you never went north.
The emergence of the Cultural Precinct in South Brisbane changed all that. By building a new theatre complex (the Queensland Performing Arts Centre) and relocating the State Library, Art Gallery and Museum to the southside — along with setting World Expo 88 in the grounds that are now known as Southbank Parklands, the state government created a reason for northerners to venture south and southsiders to feel a little smug.
The first thing that struck me on arrival at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, near the busy Siam central shopping district, was the security.
The taxi boot was checked and I had to go through a airport-style scanner before entry to the foyer.
Given the recent death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, I was expecting the mood in Bangkok to be more sombre than on my past visits.
Indeed, many people are wearing black and dark colours, and many of the billboards on the road from the airport were black, with pictures of the King and plainly written, heartfelt, tributes from companies and government bodies.
However, Thai hospitality persists, and both the taxi driver — who, regrettably tried the old “meter broken” trick (which I handled by offering him the fare I knew was correct) — and the hotel staff were friendly.
I stayed near Siam, at the Marriott Courtyard (more about that in another post) in Ratchadamri near Central World, which is well located for the BTS (Sky Train) and taxis (although the roads are impossibly clogged most of the day and night).
