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Flashback: NCAA Tournament 2002
2008-03-21 06:21:00
"How about some scores?" came from the front seat as the old man I was driving suddenly woke up. Ohio in the dead of night, the Turnpike at 85 miles per hour and I was reduced to trying to find a crackling sports talk station for this guy as we raced back to Michigan. I was simply struggling to stay awake and not crash into a fiery end along I-90.We were on our way home from Washington D.C. after a disappointing basketball game. One that cut our stay in the city short by a couple nights. What had seemed so promising became grating, annoying and disappointing. But then again, for 63 other teams each year in March - the same feelings and emotions are felt, however differently. I'm a Michigan State fan, and our quest to hit the Final Four for the fourth straight year ended quickly with a loss to some sub-standard state school that was trying to make a cinderella run. I watched that game in the closest thing to a sports bar that I could find in downtown Washington D.C., sitting next to...
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Jet Blue's Dirty Little Secret
2008-03-20 20:51:00
The airline known for free TV and Blue potato chips has a dirty little secret. For smart travelers, it's capped its most expensive flights for $250 each way. You just have to know how to look, and be a part of their frequent flyer program.JetBlue has a pretty average to poor frequent flyer program. TrueBlue doesn't let you keep any points earned longer than 12 months after you've earned them. Unless you have their American Express card, in which case, they don't expire at all. It's a great way to limit award availability on their flights.The benefit to the program is that earning free flights isn't too difficult. Four roundtrip coast to coast flights and a short one way flight and you've got a free round trip ticket. For someone who flies a moderate amount, awards are acheivable. But this month, they just got more achievable.Early this March, JetBlue quietly rolled out the chance to purchase points. At least for now, the pricing is reasonable. $50 gets you 10 points, and thei...
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On Travel Writing...
2008-03-19 05:49:00
Lately, I've had a hard time updating this blog. Not that there hasn't been plenty to talk about in the travel world, it's just that there hasn't been much inspiration to share news, tips, tidbits, stories. Probably because this blog is as much an exercise in writing for me as anything else. Writing was a profession for a short time, and it always feel good to shake the rust of the keyboard every few months. Travel is a passion for me. I don't travel as much as I would like and often I feel as if I'm rehashing the same story over and over again. At the same time, too many travel tips make me feel like the pages of "Budget Travel" which I keep trying to read, and keep finding other things to do instead. A lot of travel blogs either follow this mold, or just snark at everything. Yeah, travel can be uncomfortable - but when the focus of your creative energies is how American Airlines Business Class is more uncomfortable than prison somehow, maybe time has come to channel energy e...

1 Picture = 1000 Words: Travel Show
2008-03-18 06:18:00
Travel Show s are interesting places. People that look like nothing you'd see in foreign places do nothing you'd ever easily see outside of a brochure, or perhaps a resort's "authentic cultural experience." These dancers were at the Puerto Rican tourism booth last month.
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Whither Travel Agents?
2008-03-17 05:18:00
Planning a trip used to be so easy. Twenty years ago, it meant a trip to the local travel agent and having an expert to find the best prices and options for you was worth a lot. Today it is a completely different game. There are more options, more products and more services to choose from than ever before. Planning a trip can still be as easy as booking a flight or a cruise and just going, but with all these different possibilities, sometimes it helps to have help. Travel Agents can be a huge difference between a trip that is a royal pain, and one that is a dream. But there are different kinds of travel agents that specialize in different things.Generally, this can be grouped into three levels of service: Full Service, Discount Service, and Self Service. Each service serves a different kind of traveler, and has its place in the industry. Knowing which one to use puts you well on the way of getting the trip of your dreams for the right price.1. Full ServiceThe Full Service Travel Age...

Passport Rules Change Again
2008-03-06 14:44:00
Passport Rules are changing again. Thanks to some heavy lobbying by the cruise industry, and also a history of long delays for passport processing, the State Department has quietly announced on its website, that passports will not be required for land and sea crossings until at least June 1, 2009. Passports are currently required for all international flights, however.When the new passport rules were set into action a few years ago, we were all supposed to travel internationally with passports by 2007. Thanks initially to chronic government understaffing and Hurricane Katrina (the national Passport Processing center is in New Orleans), huge delays in passport processing forced the delay of implementing these rules. Finally last year, the first steps were implemented, requiring passports for all international travel by plane. Originally, all land crossings were to require passports by January 31 of this year and cruises would be exempt until the summer. But with some confusing langua...
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Hertz goes Green, kinda.
2008-03-06 07:01:00
The ecological impact of travel is becoming a hot topic these days, and not just with the granola munching, tree hugging set. With climate change becoming an omnipresent topic in almost everything these days, many travel providers are taking note and taking steps to ensure a product that might offer less impact on the environment. One company taking baby steps to ensure a greener traveling experience is Hertz .True, you can still drive a Hummer with the car rental behemoth, but the Prius and just about every other hybrid is on the menu too. In fact, according to a release by the company in 2007, over 40% of their fleet is capable of getting great gas mileage in excess of 34 miles per gallon. A full two-thirds of the fleet gets at least 28 miles per gallon. On the whole, that's pretty environmentally friendly. And given the current price for oil, pocketbook friendly too.Hertz has also introduced "The Green Collection." A fleet of over 35,000 cars that get a minimum of 28 miles per ga...
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Pan Am R.I.P.... again.
2008-03-03 16:37:00
No, this post does not take place in 1999. Over the weekend, Pan Am airlines shut down, again. The airline that shut its two routes down at the end of February was a far cry from the high flying airline that became ubiquitous in airports around the world. Instead of having an international bent, Pan Am "Clipper Connection" was a service of Boston-Maine Airways and flew to Trenton, NJ, Portsmouth, NH and Bedford, MA. At one point, it also flew to other exotic locations like Gary, IN and Sanford, FL.Even though Pan Am Mark II was nothing like its legendary predecessor, it is sad to see the name disappear. It's also sad to see another smaller airport lose its last regularly scheduled air service, as Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN) now sits without an airline, after Delta Connection (Big Sky) stopped serving the airport last year.With the price of fuel getting higher and higher, we will likely see the end of other airlines this year. At least one of the big American airlines - United, Del...

NCL ship says Good Bye Hawaii, Hello Europe!
2008-02-28 23:43:00
Just as NCL has started cutting back its cruise service in one market, Norwegian is expanding its profile in another lucrative market, the Mediterranean. The Norwegian Jade (one of the former Hawaii based Pride ships) will not be sailing back to the Caribbean this winter as originally planned.Instead, they will keep the ship in the Mediterranean throughout the winter, offering longer 12 night sailing options that will explore the Eastern Mediterranean, including Turkey and Egypt. Given the cool weather that hits the Western Med in the winter time, this is the cheap way to be the only major cruise line in the US to offer year round Europe an cruising.The ship which was designed for warm weather cruising in the Pacific will not be refitted to make the ship more user friendly for European winters. This limits what NCL can offer in the winter time as without a dome for the main pool area, the outdoor space would likely become mostly unusable throughout the bulk of a Western Mediterranean...
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US Airways: Devaluing Miles, Adding Fees
2008-02-27 20:44:00
US Airways has given you another couple reasons to fly with someone else. Like United Airlines did earlier this month, the Phoenix based carrier is adding a fee of $25 to check a second bag on their flights. Unlike United, however, no consideration to the consumer was ever provided. Also, they've recently announced a big downgrade to their frequent flier program, by cutting the miles earned on shorthaul flights.With United, if you paid the highest class of ticket, you can check a second bag for free. Elite frequent fliers also are exempt from the baggage fee and the new baggage policy only applies to domestic flights. Although this is a clear case of wanting to maximize revenue based on higher fuel costs, the conditions of the fee seems reasonable compared to how US Airways is applying it.With US, you will pay the same fee - regardless of the ticket price. International flights? You pay the fee. Elite and first class passengers are exempt, but given the recent frequent flier enhanc...
More About: Miles , Fees

Norovirus and Holland America:
2008-02-26 19:02:00
Over 100 passengers were sick at sea on the latest cruise on the Holland America Ryndam. And it isn't because of the waves, but the dreaded norovirus. News goes in cycles and it seems like two years ago, you couldn't swing a cat without hearing about the latest virus attack on a cruise ship. The news isn't as prevalent these days, but these outbreaks still happen and on a regular basis. The Ryndam herself has had four confirmed outbreaks since early 2007 of the nasty stomach bug. So why do they hit cruises so hard? There are a few reasons that these problems hit cruises, and one big way to help you avoid getting sick at sea.Norovirus and other illnesses have "epidemic" effects on cruise ships for pretty simple reasons. The biggest reason: thousands of people share the same limited space for days at a time. The sickness is probably shared just as often at restaurants, hotels and other public places. But people generally aren't together for long periods on an airplane. The longest...
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1 Picture = 1000 Words - Asbury Park
2008-02-26 18:22:00
My time in Asbury Park is rapidly drawing to a close. I really like living here, and I really like being so close to the ocean... but the apartment, the commute and being so far out in the suburbs is making it impractical for me. This picture is a photo that I took and played with shortly after I moved to the city two years ago.
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Caluclating your Tourist Footprint
2008-02-25 21:07:00
Forbidden destinations for Americans have been all over the news recently. Cuba's had a change in leadership at the very top. North Korea is opening up Pyongyang to the New York Philharmonic. These countries which, like many others, have had a genuinely poor record of human rights and afford their population a significant lack of freedom. Although the governments are oppressive and generally undemocratic, the allure of these relatively undiscovered and truly and completely foreign lands is undeniable. Although these countries are difficult (and generally illegal) to visit, it is possible, provided the cash and the willingness to jump through a few hoops are there.But is it right to spend your money in these places? Will your hard-earned dollars go to feeding the masses? Or will it just strengthen the ruling cadre in Country X? There's an ethical equation involved here."Ecological Footprint" is a term that is bandied about a lot these days. Referring to the sustainability of your l...
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This Week in Links : Best of the Web
2008-02-24 21:36:00
Knife Tricks got a chance to check out the new Berlin Hauptbahnhof. He doesn't like it. I really hope I'll get a chance to see it myself, not having seen it since 2003 when it was still under construction and mostly under wraps.With Fidel Castro calling it quits in Cuba, Go Girlfriend wondered about the future of travel there. Fidel says, don't plan on it.That plane ride? Might be bad for your lungs. Gadling has the scoop.We talked about Virgin Atlantic's new biofuel effort here earlier, Salon's Ask The Pilot talks about the ecological impact of flying.
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Virgin Atlantic trades Jet Fuel for Tanning Lotion
2008-02-24 18:30:00
Virgin Atlantic has long been my favorite airline that I never fly. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for the "cool" branding of certain products, and gimmicks that make a company look and feel bigger than they might actually be. Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic is a classic example of this. When he offered to fly Concorde after Air France and British Airways retired it, I hoped his quest would be a success (it wasn't.) I secretly cheer on the Virgin Galactic project, even though I don't wanna be anywhere near that Spaceship thing. And now, I'm quietly excited as Branson pioneers the use of Bio-Fuel s in his jets.Earlier today, Virgin Atlantic performed a test flight where they replaced Jet fuel with a mixture of Coconut and other oils. Apparently the flight went well, although they aren't sure if the trip ended up acheiving its goal of reducing a jumbo jet's carbon footprint. They won't know for some days. But it probably will help keep the price of flying down, if the project ...
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Amtrak - Everyone's Favorite Whipping Boy
2008-02-23 01:02:00
A couple weeks ago, the President submitted his budget to Congress. Among the thousands of programs to be funded in the proposal, there's a $900 million dollar request for Amtrak .That sure sounds like a lot of money for a struggling railroad. Problem is, it's about half what the railroad actually needs. And the proposal is almost 50% less than the 1.3 billion that Congress was able to force through last year. The national passenger railroad has never been profitable and probably never will be. But, as critics like to conveniently ignore, there are good solid reasons why.When the Amtrak consolidation started in the 1970s, big railroads like Santa Fe and Union Pacific started threatening to shut its passenger services down and concentrating on the much more profitable rail routes. The federal government bailed out these railroads by allowing the services to be spun off into a quasi-public service. What a sweet deal for the railroads. No longer beholden to the governments that helped...
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1 Picture = 1000 Words, Reykjavik
2008-02-19 16:00:00
Bjork sings Birthday with the Sugarcubes, Laugardalshoell Nov 17, 2006.I've always loved Bjork, but never had the chance to see her in concert. Then I heard about the Sugarcubes Reunion taking place in Iceland. Thanks to Icelandair offering great deals on packages, my friend Eric and I took a weekend in Reykjavik . The highlights included Bjork, almost getting beat down by a Soccer Hooligan, and lots of expensive beer during blizzards. And that's what I did on my November vacation!
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This Week in Links : Best of the Web
2008-02-17 17:59:00
What's the difference between a regular strip club and a vegan strip club? Not quite so sure. It probably means all the bikinis are made of Soy. Regardless, now you can finally find out for yourself in Portland, OR. Go Girlfriend has the scoop.Alaska Airline's website has a new virtual assistant. Cranky Flier likes what he sees. He's amorous. She's kinda hilarious.Drinking the water in your hotel room? Gadling says, bring your own glasses.
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Norwegian Saying Aloha to Hawaii?
2008-02-16 22:06:00
More cruise news is rearing its ugly head this week, this time around from Norwegian Cruise Line with cuts to capacity to its Hawaii an market where it enjoys a near monopoly, and hints they could be pulling out altogether. They're subsidiary, NCL America, was at one point featuring sailings from Hawaii with four ships. Three of which were flagged from the United States, a requirement to be able to sail the ships on a purely Hawaii itinerary.Last year, NCL retired the Norwegian Wind from the fleet. This year, the Pride of America was repositioned as the Norwegian Jade. Now, this week, NCL America further reduced capacity in Hawaii by announcing that it would be transferring the Pride of Aloha to its parent company, Star Cruises, and targeting the ship to serve the Asian Market. It's a sad story, really.It makes me wish that they would just send the ship to New York City instead and then NCL could send back the horrific Norwegian Spirit which came over from Asia in 2001 and has neve...

Three Ways Cruises Are Changing
2008-02-14 15:17:00
As security restrictions around US travel continue to get restrictive, the way you travel on cruise ships are changing. Here's a brief summary of three ways that cruising is changing and things to be aware of for upcoming sailings.1. Passports are NeededPassports are needed. Or they will be soon. The US government is now requiring Passports or Passport Cards for all travelers leaving the US by plane or car at this time. Used to be able to drive across to Canada or Mexico with just a driver's license and birth certificate, but this is no longer sufficient. For some reason (to be read: Cruise Line lobbying money) cruises in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada and Mexico are not yet affected by this ruling, but by the end of the year, you'll need to get a passport to get on a ship. But it's a really good idea to have one now, even if the cruise doesn't require it? If there's an emergency that requires a guest to leave the ship and fly home, it'll be a lot easier to make that trip wit...
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In Over Your Head, Berlin: A Memoir
2008-02-13 20:48:00
Long trips on the road in expensive places means getting your kicks by unorthodox means. When I felt the need for drinks, $25 a day budgets aren't going to get you much beer, even if you have a free place to stay. "If only I was a girl," I thought. "Girls always get free drinks." As I pondered my gender jealousy, a revelation appears. "I am gay," I thought, "and reasonably young. Maybe this could work to my advantage."So it was settled, I'd find a gay bar to flirt for free drinks. This isn't the easiest thing in the world for a guy like me to do. Sure, I was in my mid-20's. But I was still a fat, balding kid - not exactly the most attractive fruit in the basket. I needed a plan... and the answer came to me with one word. BEAR.BEAR is a gay bar in Berlin . It caters to "bears," or fat hairy men. Balding guys that are overweight and with beards are the ideal of beauty here... so this just might work. I'd go to the bar, find a friendly older gentleman and flirt for some beer. If mo...
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1 Picture = 1000 Words NYC
2008-02-12 16:23:00
The Mercury Lounge, Manhattan, New York City, Feb 2008.The stench of hipster was a bit overwhelming. People with "alternative" hairstyles paying 10 dollars to not watch the bands and instead spend 6 dollars per beer that they enjoy while not in the room to watch the bands that are on the stage. In the listening room, The Gay Blades blister through a set, complete with furries.
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Sorry about the Delay.
2008-02-11 22:47:00
Sorry about a lack of posting lately, but writing for me has been problematic to say the least over the last few days. There just hasn't been much worth writing about in the last week. So rather than bore you about my Brooklyn discoveries while apartment hunting, none of it particularly exciting or interesting, I decided to say nothing.However, there is another event coming soon to the New York area that I'll make sure to talk about as it approaches. The New York Times Travel Show. The huge trade show is a great way to see the world through glossy promo folders and the eyes of a travel section in your Sunday newspaper.But its also a good way to get a sense of the industry in general and some general trends in travel. I am looking forward to it. To explore the show and some of the weirdness it entails, if nothing else.

1 Picture = 1000 Words
2008-02-05 06:01:00
We were waiting to go through a long tunnel near an Alpen pass and were stopped in front for about 25 minutes while waiting for a bicycle tour to pass through. It turned out to be the "Wiesbader" Tour of Austria bicycle race. Not a terribly well known bicycle race, possibly because it also happens around the Giro d'Italia, a much bigger race in professional circles, but this race had its share of professionals as well. It was quite amazing to see around 75 people fly out of this dark tunnel on bike.
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United Enhances Baggage Service with New Fee
2008-02-05 00:00:00
United Airlines announced today its newest customer service initiative. Charging passengers who bring a second bag. It's long been accepted practice for most airlines to accept two bags to place down below in the checked luggage area. United, faced with a competitive environment and higher fuel costs are looking to make that money up somewhere.First they tried to impose a $25 fuel surcharge per flight segment. With nobody matching, that fee was quietly withdrawn a few days later. Today, they've announced that same fee returning, but only for customers who purchase a discounted fare and check a second bag. This will, by United's own account, affect one quarter of passengers on domestic flights. It's generally assumed that International flights will be unaffected. Also frequent fliers with status will be exempt as well.They aren't the only carrier with recent changes in baggage. Southwest made their policy for extra baggage more in line with most other US carriers, now only accep...
More About: Service , United , Baggage

The Week In Links: Best of the Web
2008-02-03 06:44:00
This is a situation I've found myself in. Made a love connection on the road, but finding that private spot to enjoy it is tough when you're sharing a room with 20 strangers. Tim Patterson on Brave New Traveler talks about the best places to share an intimate moment in a hostel.With the big news of Microsoft trying to takeover Yahoo!, real travelers know the value of Google. Just ask Vagabondish.What happens when 200 people freeze in place at Grand Central? Improv Everywhere found out and Jaunted has the video.Gadling has a story about a woman sharing half her seat with a third of the obese lady sitting next to her on Delta. What would you do in that situation?
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Russian Spa Treatments to Avoid.
2008-02-02 06:40:00
Going to Russia has never been high on my list. Going to Russia for an enema, even less so. Apparently some tourists do however. More power to them! However, you might want to avoid the spa in Yessentuki, Russia to get your high colonic.Apparently, they sent about 20 tourists to the hospital this week after administering hydrogen peroxide enemas to their clients. They argued that it was an accident because the liquid looks like water. Which leads to the question of why they're keeping hydrogen peroxide in enema bottles to begin with.Anyway, the story is here. There are plenty of jokes to be made, I'll leave you to them.
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Four Small Airports
2008-02-01 19:07:00
Today, Cranky Flier was talking about British Airways' recent announcement that they'll be flying narrow body jets across the Atlantic, from the New York area to downtown London, out of the not often used London City airport. The more I read about that, the more I thought about the smaller airports that I've used over the last few years.Small er airports generally mean shorter wait times to check in, go through security and a pleasant environment. Unfortunately, it also means there is a lot less to do in the case of a long wait time. I've gone through my share of them. Some still offer regular jet service, some don't.1. Lubeck, Germany - currently serviced by RyanairLubeck is a northern German focus city for the low cost Irish airline, Ryanair, offering service to five different destinations. The old small terminal building has a restaurant and bar, and little else. But at least there's beer! The actual behind security area resembles a steel pole barn. Because that is basically...
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Asbury Park, Then&Now: The Casino
2008-01-30 08:04:00
This is part three in an irregular series showing the differences that two years can make in the struggle of a down on its luck city trying to recapture its glory days a resort on the New Jersey shore.Huge changes happened with the Casino . This is what I saw when I moved to Asbury Park in April of 2006.As you can see. It's not pretty. The buildings had been vacant for the better part of two decades and were falling apart. This was one of the touchstones of beauty left to rust that gave Asbury Park its nickname of "Debris by the Sea" that it is sometimes referred to.Here's what the Casino looks like today. And it's a big change!May not look different at first glance, but notice the blue sky to the left of the Casino? That half of the building wreckage has been completely razed and is scheduled to be rebuilt. The second "before" picture no longer exists. Work is supposed to start in earnest on rebuilding the pier and restoring the rest of the casino this year. Will it happen? Who k...

The Latest Travel Craze: Nudity
2008-01-29 19:37:00
Hey, ever wanted to fly naked? It's now totally possible! Seriously. For some reason, Germans like to get naked. "Free Body Culture" or FKK as it is commonly known in Germany is fairly popular. This is when Germans do relatively normal things in the nude, for some reason unknown to everyone else. I'm guessing it is some sort of health craze.Now a travel agency is offering nude flights. Day trips run just 500 Euros (about $750)! Those prices are stripped bare! Expensive? Yes. Rip off? Of course! You have to stay clothed during boarding and before getting off the plane... and the flight attendants aren't allowed to be naked either. Total gyp! If I was gonna pay out the nose to fly "free," I think I would want the pleasure of wandering through the airport nude as well. Would make security checkpoints go a lot faster I'd imagine.Reuters has the scoop.You have to call the agency to make the reservation, by the way, and if you can read German, the information is here.
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