Since we were connecting same-night back to Istanbul, it made sense to fly instead of take a ferry back. Tickets were $37 each purchased the day before on Fastjet. Fastjet hopes to become the African continent’s “first low-cost, pan-African airline”...
Looted But Not Livid in Zanzibar
On our second night in Zanzibar, we decided to eat where the locals eat. During the meal, a local took advantage of our trust, stealing money from us. After a great dinner at the Park Hyatt Zanzibar the first...
An Amazing Journey Through Stone Town in Zanzibar (Pictures)
I’m not usually one for guided tours, especially arranged by hotels. In Zanzibar, however, we opted for tour of historic Stone Town arranged by the Park Hyatt. It was well worth it. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage...
She Tried to Deny Me Entry Into Zanzibar!
When we left off, my friend Denny and I had reached the port of Zanzibar and were making our way off the ship. Throngs of people emerged from the boat and most were rushing out of the port through a...
An Honest Cab Driver in Dar Es Salaam
We read about so many taxi horror stories. How about a heartwarming one? I tend to be a very forgetful person. No, actually I am a forgetful person. Time after time after time I have left valuables behind, sometimes...
Introduction: A Month in Africa
For those who have immigrated to the United States, you know that the process is not easy, even for those emigrating from a rich western nation. Weighing our options and deciding that Los Angeles would be the best fit...
An Incredible Flight on SAS
If I could describe my SAS flight from Los Angeles to Stockholm in one picture, it would be this– My flight simply could not have been better. To be honest, I had some trepedation stepping onboard. Last time I...
First Thoughts on Pakistan Airlines 777 Business Class
I’m finding it difficult to summarize my experience on Pakistan Airlines today from Manchester to New York in business class. On the one hand, the FAs displayed incredible Pakistani hospitality and the buffet-style main course was really delicious —...
Shockingly Terrible Service on Saudia
Pull up a chair, for you’re about to hear a tale of woe from 38,000 feet between Colombo and Jeddah on Saudia! As Lucky pointed out, this trip has truly shattered expectations. I expected a nice flight on China...
Don’t Tell My Wife What Happened at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca!
Lucky and I dined at Dar Beida last night, the Moroccan restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Casablanca. It was billed (by the hotel) as the “most authentic Moroccan food in Casablanca” but we figured it was at least the...
My RTW Trip with Lucky Has Begun!
Greetings from 32,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean in China Eastern Business Class! My highly anticipated trip with Lucky has begun. Over the next week we will be flying almost non-stop, with flights on China Eastern, Qatar, Royal Air Maroc,...
Los Angeles to Paris in Air Tahiti Nui Business Class
My brother Andrew recently flew from Los Angeles to Paris on Air Tahiti Nui in “Poerava” business class using 57.5K American Airlines miles. I asked him to write a trip report sharing about his flight. Gosh, I love exotic...
A Condensed Photo Tour of the New Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi
With neraly 120 pictures, my recent review of the new Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi may have been overhwhelming for some, so I also want to provide this condensed version of ten photos that capture...
Review: Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi
Earlier this week Etihad Airways opened its long-awaited first class lounge in Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi. Details are still emerging about the lounge but let not your heart be troubled — you can find everything you need below....
Visiting Glacier National Park in Off-Season
I just returned from a two-day journey on Amtrak to Glacier National Park in Montana followed by two days of hiking in the park. My trip report has already been written, so stay tuned for that. As tourist season...
A Review of My First and Last United p.s. Flights from JFK
Yesterday I wrote about the new challenges on the horizon for United employees at JFK. In the story, I shared a couple pictures of my first and last p.s. flights on United at JFK. Here’s a brief trip report...
Why You Should Visit Cuba Now
The trope goes something like this – visit Cuba now before it becomes westernized with McDonalds and Subways; before the Americans ruin it and it becomes another Caribbean dump. That’s not entirely untrue, but that’s not the real reason...
10 Tips for Visiting Cuba
Cuba remains an incredible place to visit, even in this time of great change. Here are 10 tips for an even better trip to Cuba: #1 Home-Stays in Cuba Are Cheap and Memorable I booked a room on hostelword.com...
Dublin to Boston in Aer Lingus Business Class
Aer Lingus recently refreshed its transatlantic business class product with a new lie-flat bed and a reinvented onboard menu. I had the chance to sample it last week from Dublin to Boston and am pleased to report that I...
A Weekend in Small Town America
I am a city slicker at heart – there is no question about it. I grew up and still live in Los Angeles and have lived in Washington, Philadelphia, and Frankfurt as well. In other words, I have always...
