Travel Blogs (264)

I had the dream again last night; the same dream I have had for countless nights; the dream that haunts my waking hours. I am on a packed rush hour bus travelling through a busy city centre and I am naked from the waist down, save for a pair of muddy walking boots. All the seats are occupied and I am forced to stand in the aisle, right next to an attractive young woman whose thumbs are moving like lightening on the keys of her smart phone. Is she snap chatting about me? She gives away no sign of even noticing my presence, but what must she be thinking?

I didn’t really have that dream, but I know I will, one night.

.....Cheap guys like me are used to travelling to Portugal several times a year, for under USD 500, RT. And on some great carriers, just by booking early. Getting bombarded with email adverts from booking agents, touting great deals. RT to the Azores from Logan, for USD 1,300. Do we ever have a deal for you. Supply and demand.

As you might know by now, I am set to go to New York in less than two months. I have run into a small complication: The person I am supposed to visit, isn't responding to any of my messages. I was promised a message a few weeks ago, but that never came. I know she's active, because she're replying to other people - just not me, so I might face a cancellation. There is just one problem: My ticket is non-refundable.

What I COULD do, is find an air bnb, and stay there, if it's not too expensive. I'll decide in the coming days. If I haven't heard back from my friend by the end of the week, I am looking into changing the trip. There's also the whole corona virus thing. I am not worried, since good hygiene will keep the virus at bay. I am also probably too healthy to get the virus

Emirates airline has asked staff to take voluntary paid and unpaid leave as the effects of the coronavirus across the world ramps up.

The Dubai-based carrier halted most flights to China and suspended operations to Iran, the epicentres of the coronavirus.

Following Saudi Arabia's decision to temporarily suspend issuing tourist visas to people in countries badly hit by the coronavirus outbreak, Emirates stopped flying tourists from more than 20 countries to the kingdom, the company’s biggest market in the Middle East.

An email to staff described a “measureable slow-down in business across our brands” and called for “flexibility in the way we work”.

A spokesperson for Emirates said: “We can confirm the email was sent to our employees around unpaid leave due to the difficult business conditions.”

German airline Lufthansa on Friday announced that it expects to reduce its flights by up to 25 percent in the coming weeks due to the increasing spread of the new coronavirus.

Due to the "accelerated spread of the coronavirus" the company said it would have to cut the numbers of its short- and medium-haul flights by up to a quarter and ground 23 of its long-haul planes.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has said that the virus outbreak could mean a $4-5 billion drop in worldwide airline revenue.

Well. A trip could be on the cards? I'm floating the idea out there. The idea appeals to me. The only state i've been to is Florida - which was a so-so experience - it was the last holiday i went on with my folks as a teenager

Where, and what would you recommend to do, should i ever make the trip

....Looks like millionaire auto CEO Carlos Ghosn was able to stroll right out of his home in Japan, while under house surveillance, and via private jet, high tailed it back to once beautiful Lebanon, where he has family, friends in high places and one of several passports. Just like you and me, no? This man, charged in Japan for corrupt activities, now may be hunted in most of the non bribable world, but is safe in Beirut. So once again, as with child sex practitioner Roman Polansky, now protected by Poland, it's another case of "money talks", but there have been surprises. Ecuador Embassy allows UK cops to, in one short visit, vastly improve the noise levels and hygiene in their building. And the Mossad has brought back Nazi's to Israel. I've actually thought this topic through. It's been years since I had my sights on the homosexual men in the Roman Catholic Church who had their ways with many of us altar boys. Ruining, and in some cases ending, many otherwise promising lives. Thankfully, I'm long over all that, and was able to punch the crap out of these deviants where it hurts most, in the wallet. But I did think of where one could get away with "high crimes, and misdemeaners", decades ago. Apparently, still lots of such places, world wide. And as did Israel, the USA/CIA and others have paid little visits to a number of creeps in many places. One person's creep, another one's hero, though.

.....on the way, stopover on the lovely Azores, for the hikes around volcanic Lago Azul, and highlands. Perhaps around all of Sao Miguel Island. Inviting all my CS septuagenarian homies. Younger ones as well, by invitation only. Dogs and women need not apply. Feliz Navidad.

Long distance relationships have their risks at any level.
I've known lots of people who have traveled domestically a few hundred miles only to be disappointed...
Would 10,000 miles increase your odds of finding love? Of course not.

My suggestion is to be sensible in your decisions and planning. Know what you want to accomplish and make a back up plan in case your first plan gets changed.

It's a good thing if you speak English going to an English speaking country. If not, you could have barriers, especially as many customs officers only know a handful of words in English. Large cities often cater to tourists. Taxi and hotel support often speak English. Make sure you have an idea of the route as some taxi drivers will circle you around the city or take the long way adding minutes to the drive that raises the fare.

Currency... don't exchange money at the airport, they have the highest fees. Do your transactions at a bank.
You may find someone hanging around the front of the bank offering better rates than the bank... consider the money you receive could be counterfeit. I wouldn't consider risking it. I also wouldn't consider doing a financial transaction on the street as you could be robbed or arrested as the police in some countries don't allow private exchange.

Do as much research as you can... be comfortable with laws as many places don't allow photography in public, so that perfect sunset between some statues could get your video equipment confiscated... or worse.

If they drive on the opposite side of the road than your country forget renting a vehicle. Going to Italy? Forget driving there as every driver on the road is a Mario Andretti. Also, if the car in front constantly speeds up and slows down and is totally annoying DON'T PASS HIM. It's a ploy to videotape you and send it to the authorities. They make commission for turning you in. Their gain and your loss.

Yesterday, I was changing the mailing address for my car insurance and the advertisement of the company website had a modern looking vehicle (with LED headlights) that reminded me of the BMW my family owned in the 1960's
Today, I did some research for the BMW to post a photo link on FAE3's blog and I saw that car again. Following the photo linked to an Australian car website and the story about an Swiss company making electric versions that resemble the iconic shape of the BMW Isetta!
I believe the British coined the name 'Bubble Cars'

(the one on the left being the original BMW)




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