Owner: itravelnet.com Travel Blog URL:http://www.itravelnet.com/blog/notes.html Join Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:13:52 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Notes from the editor. Travel related news, articles, photos from itravelnet.com. Site statistics:Click here
Breakfast 3 times a day 2007-12-03 03:06:00 It used to be said to eat well in england, eat breakfast 3 times a day. Things have changed from those days though as there as so many migrants here, and with them they brought restaurants from all over the world.The English Breakfast
is a classic meal and you can have here for dinner and no one will bat an eyelid.English Breakfast
London Toilet Finder 2007-12-02 03:10:00 Westminster City Council, (which covers London's Oxford Street, the West End, and the Houses of Parliament), has created a toilet-finding service for mobile phone users. Read more:Toilet
, Finder
Avenue of Stars 2007-12-06 00:45:00 Usually these Avenue
of Stars that are modelled off Hollywood come off looking cheesy. Hong Kong has one of the biggest film industries in the world though so they at least have enough local stars to fill their walk.Avenue of StarsBruce Lee - Victoria HarbourJackie Chan Hand Print
The Digitally Enhanced Skyline of Hong Kong 2007-12-06 00:14:00 The booming Chinese economy is having a visible effect on the Hong Kong
skyline, and it's not just the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island. Air pollution is becoming an ever present part of the view in Hong Kong.The number of days that Air pollution has decreased visibility has increased in the last decade. While it might take some time for the government to show some political will in cleaning the skies, some photographers have taken matters into their own hands.There are photographers at Victoria Peak and on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour that are offering digitally enhanced photos. They have laptops setup ready to photoshop a perfectly clear picture of the background you just had your picture taken in front of. They even have day and night options, even if you weren't there at night.Fake Harbour ViewsI don't know how I feel about this. On the one hand it is disappointing to get to the top of Victoria Peak then not be able to see the Harbour through all the smog. On the other ha Read more:Digitally
, Skyline
The Peak Tram - Hong Kong 2007-12-06 00:08:00 The Peak Tram of Hong Kong
Island is one of the most famous tramways in the world. The tram runs from Central district to Victoria Peak with some stops along the way. Its steep ascent to the Peak offers great views of the Harbour.The Peak TramThe Peak Tram StopsAt the top the tram terminates at the Peak Tower, an observation deck/shopping centre/tourist trap, which you have to pay extra to enter. You can walk around the paths at the peak and see the same view for free.Peak TowerVictoria Peak View
Budget Accommodation in Hong Kong 2007-12-05 00:03:00 If you are booking Hong Kong
budget accommodation online you will notice a number of "Mansions" listed in the results. These mansions are great apartment blocks on Nathan Rd, the main road in Kowloon, Hong Kong.Mirador MansionIf you are staying at one of these mansions (Chunking Mansion or Mirador Mansion) you might be taken aback by its outside appearance. The blocks are old and shabby, with air-con units and washing lines hanging from just about every window. The blocks are a mix of residential apartments, small businesses and guest houses.Chunking MansionsThe quality of your budget accommodation guest house will vary widely once you are inside though as there as so many of them. I have stayed in guest houses in both mansions and they have been clean and presentable, but as space is at a premium my rooms have only been slightly larger than the bed itself. Read more:Accommodation
Hong Kong Trams 2007-12-04 23:05:00 Double decker trams still operate on Hong Kong
Island. Hongkong Tramways run the largest fleet of double-deck tramcars in the world.Hong Kong Tram video: Hong Kong Tram
Street Eating in Hong Kong 2007-12-04 22:04:00 Boiling Offal PotsEating in Hong Kong
is hard work if you don't eat meat. I'm not a vegetarian but I'm not a fan of offal, which is what alot of the street food in Hong Kong seems to be. Pots of boiling offalFor a city that was once a jewel of the British Empire it is surprising how little English is spoken on the the street. This makes for ordering food a challenge. I found a place serving some sort of meat product skewered on a stick, which was most tasty. I then moved on to the next tray, and pointed to these frying balls of something. The lady said "spicy"! I nodded. She said again "spicy"!! I said "OK, I like spicy", then she repeated again "SPICY"!!! "OK OK give me spicy". She gave me a container with 10 of them. They were excruciatingly spicy, and I like spicy. I forced the third one down before surrendering and running off to the nearest 7/11 to put out the fire.Know where your food comes fromEating in Asia you get a better sense of where your food comes from. In the west we Read more:Street
Fly from London to Australia with Low Cost Airlines 2007-12-19 22:40:00 The New Kangaroo Route - London to Sydney with Low CostAirlines
Low cost airlines have now covered just about every short haul route possible and are now looking at inter-continental long haul flights. It will soon be possible to fly from the UK to Australia
one stop, just like the traditional scheduled airlines.Of course you don't have to fly to Australia in one stop. There are so many low cost carriers along the way that it is possible to break to trip up into multi stops like you would on a round the world ticket.Flying like this though won't necessarily mean that your flight will be cheaper. And because most low cost airlines aren't in the booking systems of travel agents or online booking engines you have to do all the flight segment research yourself. For someone like me though that is half the fun.If you are trying to fly straight through it's advisable to leave enough time between connecting flights. If one flight is late and you miss the next you will not just be able to g
Viva Macau Flight Review - Macau to Sydney 2007-12-09 22:34:00 Flight: Viva Macau ZG 9501 Date: 8 Dec 2007Viva Macau is a low cost airline based in Macau. They currently fly 3 times a week to Sydney
.Viva Macau offer a no frills long haul service so you need to come prepared before you fly, as you will not be fed and entertained like you would on a full service airline. What they do offer is one of the cheapest flights you will find from Sydney to East Asia. I picked up a sale seat for $199 (one-way) plus taxes, bringing the total to $320 Australian Dollars. I bought this online about one month before flying.AircraftViva Macau use a Boeing 767 for this route. The seating arrangement is 2-3-2 across. EntertainmentViva Macau show movies on a projector screen. There are no personal screens. They show an English and Hong Kong film during the flight. Bring your own headphones, otherwise you will need to purchase one.Food and DrinkThere is no inflight meal service so make sure you have a big meal at the airport or bring enough food. The only hot meal ava Read more:Flight
Casinos of Macau 2007-12-08 02:40:00 Macau has become the biggest gambling centre in the world, recently overtaking Las Vegas in terms of gaming revenues. Mind you there is not as many entertainment options in Macau compared to Las Vegas (like the shows and theme parks), and I can't see Macau becoming Rat Pack cool like Vegas anytime soon. The thing with Macau though is it has only just begun. Much of the place is a construction site, and as the only place in China where casinos are legal it is only going to get bigger.Grand LisboaThe Grand Lisboa is close to the Macau Old Town and at 258 metres it is the dominant landmark on the Macau skyline. It seems to look down upon you wherever you go. Grand Lisboa - MacauWynn CasinoWynn, a big name of Las Vegas has opened a casino in Macau.Wynn Casino - MacauThe VenetianFrom the people that brought you The Venetian Las Vegas, now there is The Venetian Macau, the world's largest casino.The front entrance is dominated by replicas of the Ponte di Rialto, Campanile and Palazzo Ducal
One Sim, Two Numbers for One Country, Two Systems 2007-12-07 03:37:00 This is a great idea from a phone company in Macau. They are offering one sim card with two phone numbers (A Hong Kong and a Macau number). I don't know if it is a fair tariff but the idea is good as it would save carrying two phones or doing the sim card change every time you cross the border.Smartone one sim two numbersHong Kong and Macau used to be two separate countries before they became Special Administrative Regions of China, but they still have their own country codes.I hope that the phone companies in Europe introduce something like this. With the open borders with the EU people have become so much more mobile between countries but you are charged exorbitant rates when you leave the country your phone plan is from. Read more:Country
, Numbers
, Systems
Hong Kong to Macau 2007-12-07 03:00:00 Macau was a Portuguese colony that was handed over to China in 1999. Like Hong Kong
it is now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.Macau is only one hour ferry ride from Hong Kong so it makes for a popular day trip if you are doing a stop-over in Hong Kong. There are ferries up to every half an hour during the day.Ferry Departures to MacauI was only in Macau last year and I did not think I would be back here so soon. I thought I might like to come back in 20 years and see how many casinos have sprouted.I am back so soon because Viva Macau fly from here to Sydney. The combined cost of flying Oasis Hong Kong from london to Hong Kong then Macau to Sydney was about half the price of a ticket on offer with any other scheduled airline.
Having a leak in Lopburi 2008-03-06 21:34:00 Location: Lopburi - Thailand Date: 2 Feb 2008Mens Toilet - Lopburi Read more:Having
Monkeys of Lopburi - Thaialnd 2008-03-06 21:15:00 Location: Lopburi - Thailand Date: 2 Feb 2008Lopburi is about 150 km north of Bangkok and it makes a good stop on the way to Chiang Mai. This small city has temple ruins strewn though the working streets of the town, which breaks up the drab new concrete buildings.Lopburi is most famous for is resident monkeys (of the Crab-eating Macaque variety). The monkeys are fed by the locals and have since lost their fear of people, so they won't mind going after you aggressively if you offer them food.Monkey hi-wireStreet Monkeys
Monkey Magic in Thailand 2008-02-28 23:16:00 At the river ferry in Ayathaya, Thailand
there is a great mural of the characters from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Monkey Mural - AyuthayaI'm no scholar on Chinese literature but most Aussies, Kiwis and Brits my age will recognise the mural as the characters from Monkey, a TV show that was popular in the 80's. The story is Chinese, made in Japan and dubbed into English by the BBC.Here is a video of the start of the show, which gives you a taste of it's cult cheesy goodness.Monkey TV ShowView here if video doesn't show: Monkey Read more:Magic
Erawan Shrine - Bangkok 2008-02-21 21:06:00 The Erawan Shrine
in Bangkok
is dedicated to the four headed deity Brahma (Phra Phrom), the Hindu God of creation. It has a reputation for granting wishes, thus it is very popular.Erawan ShrineThe shrine is in front of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, on a busy intersection in the shadow of two sky train lines near Siam Square.Erawan Shrine and Sky TrainThose who have had a wish granted may then return to commission dancers and musicians at the shrine.Erawan Shrine DancersErawan Shrine Dance Rates
Bangkok Sex Change 2008-02-15 06:15:00 Medical Tourism in ThailandBangkok
has positioned itself as a leading city for medical tourism. Visitors from western countries can come here for procedures like dental work or cosmetic surgery and the savings compared to the prices in say, the US or UK, can more than pay for the holiday as well.There are a host of websites that specialise in Thailand medical tourism. If you are already in Bangkok advertisements for such services can be found in the classifieds of the Bangkok Post, an English language newspaper. Here you can find ads for facelifts, breast enlargements and even sex change operations.Sex Change
in Bangkok
Jetstar Flight Review - Melbourne to Bangkok 2008-02-07 19:31:00 Flight: Jetstar JQ 29 Date: 27 Jan 2008Jetstar is the low cost airline brand of Qantas. They operate flights from Australia to popular destinations in Asia as well as New Zealand and Hawaii.Jetstar at Melbourne
AirportAs Jetstar is a low cost airline it doesn't have the usual frills of a full service airline such as free food and drink and personal entertainment units.If you are used to flying long haul flights with full servive airlines like Qantas or Thai Airways then flying with a low cost is a step down in the travel experience. What you need to remember is that you are paying for the service of a cheaper flight.Before you FlyIf you want extra frills onboard you can pre-purchase the following items online when you buy your ticket:- Buy before you fly and drink free $30 (2 meals and unl Read more:Bangkok
, Flight
Banksy in Melbourne 2008-01-24 23:52:00 Work of British graffiti artist Banksy, "the little diver". Found at the back of the Nicholas Building on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne
.Banksy - Melbourne
Everybody Loves Roger 2008-01-23 21:19:00 The Australian Open is on in Melbourne and for $20 AUD you can get an evening outside courts pass, which gets you into all courts except the largest two.Bryan Bros - Margaret Court ArenaNot only do you see tournament games, but you can watch players practicing on side courts. I found one small court with more people surrounding it than at some of the games in progress. It could only mean one thing - that Federer was there. The world's number one tennis player is such a popular figure that he could have practiced on one of the show courts and filled it.Roger
Federer Practicing Read more:Everybody
The World's Best Airport Names 2008-01-17 17:57:00 Nepal have announced plans to name an airport after Sir Edmund Hillary and his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay. Lukla airport will become Tenzing-Hillary airport.It is a common tradition worldwide to name an airport after a local hero. Here is a list of some of the best airport names in the world.UK- Liverpool John Lennon Airport. An obvious choice for Liverpool, though Paul probably thought he should get the honour. A small consolation prize to John for being the first Beatle to die.- George Best Belfast City Airport. A name that wouldn't mean much in the US, but in the rest of the world where football is followed he is known as one of the greats of the game. He was also one of the worlds first celebrity footballers. A man's man, he was just as well known for his off-field antics as a ha Read more:World
, Names
The Fourth Busiest Air Route in the World 2008-01-10 20:34:00 This billboard in Melbourne is promoting 167 flights a week to Sydney with Virgin Blue. If you think that sounds like a lot, that's because it is. According to OAG the Sydney to Melbourne air route is the fourth busiest in the world. In 2007 there were 851 flights per week between the two biggest cities in Australia.For the record, here is the top 10.Top 10 Busiest Routes World
wide by Weekly Number of FlightsBarcelona (BCN) Madrid (MAD)Sao Paulo Congonhas (CGH) Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont (SDU)Jeju (CJU) Seoul (GMP)Melbourne (MEL) Sydney (SYD)Cape Town (CPT) Johannesburg (JNB)Mumbai (BOM) Delhi (DEL)Sapporo Chitose (CTS) Tokyo Haneda (HND)Jakarta Soekamo (CGK) Hatta Surabaya (SUB)Honolulu (HNL) Kahului (OGG)Fukuoka (FUK) Tokyo Haneda (HND)It will be interesting to to see the cha
When can you say you've been to a country? 2008-01-03 22:29:00 Can you say you have been to a country if you only spent a few hours in one of its cities? Changing planes at international airports doesn't count (of course), but what about a weekend or day trip to one place? Technically you can, but do you?I was thinking about this question when filling in one of those where have you been maps that you might have seen doing the rounds on Facebook and Myspace. I had a go at one of these maps when someone sent me a link, and I found that large countries lit up because I had been to one of its cities. I felt like a British colonialist shading when they used to shade the world map red.British Empire Map (from wikipedia.org)I wasn't going to publish mine but then I thought I should just to illustrate this train of thought. This is the map of the world of the
The Boxing Day Test 2007-12-27 20:28:00 The Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is an institution on the Australian sporting calendar. The first Boxing Day test was in 1950, and it has been played every year since 1980.Boxing Day TestAustralia v India - MCG
Temple of the Dog 2008-03-13 23:15:00 Location: Chiang Mai - Thailand Date: 6 Feb 2008Dog lounging at Wat Chiang Mun in Chiang Mai.Wat Chiang Mun Dog Read more:Temple
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