Euro Travel & More

A Muslim - American family was booted outta the plane yesterday .. just because they said ” they were looking for the safest place to sit” on the plane.  FBIs were involved.. and the plane marshall escorted the family off the plane.. and was quarantined for a few hours .. before they were cleared.  So when you are boarding an airplane.. please remember to watch what you say.  Here’s an interview with CNN.

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I flew a lot to Barcelona and Madrid because my ex-company was located in Spain and the factory was in Barcelona. For Spanair Gold member like myself, I used the lounge a lot.  I think some of the hostess there kinda know me, they even greet me by my family at times.  Drinks were free and there were no shower.. but a smoking area there is .. as you all know the Spaniards love to smoke a lot.  The lounge is nothing to shout about and small compared to the one in Madrid but it is at a great location, so instead of heading over to Singapore Airline lounge.. because i fly a lot on SIA too, i used this one instead.

Ya.. ! the olives were huge.. and the drinks were so-so.

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Compared to what i was used to.. when i was traveling for business, these days traveling on business even for a small business opportunity, you really only need a computer and your USB key.  No need to lug your projectors, or many files or even presentation materials.  Unfortunately, since 9/11, when you do travel, you know the hassle you have to go thru’ especially in an American Airport.  So even for Canadians who usually only need their ID when traveling to United States, is now asked to produce a valid passport.  So for those traveling on business, make sure your documentations are proper, you have a destination as well as a letter for the company that you are meeting with etc, etc, etc.  Yes, they do ask of this.. when you go thru’ custom, so do get yourself prepared.

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For frequent flyer like myself, i am sure .. you will be pleased to know that at Changi Airport Terminal 2′ SATs lounge.. had been newly renovated again.  I am guessing they are sprucing up because of T3’s recent new lounges.. and cannot leave this old one.. without doing anything eh..??   They had udon, chicken rice.. and the works.. that I liked.. my g/f reported.  And the buffet spread is longer too.  For those traveling thru’ Changi Airport.. don’t forget to check out the new lounges.

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Now.. I think I’ve been asked this question so many times and I’m sure you want to know what i think about  it too.  As a frequent flyer, what annoys me the most is when another flyer/passenger go onto a flight with a cold or is having a fever.  Not only is this flyer/passenger risking the health of all the other passengers on board, he/she is also risking his/her life.

Being in a closed up cabin for a good few hours.. even if it is a short flight.. your germs can spread so quickly.. if you are not careful.. you may cause an epidemic.  I know.. some of you .. might also think that if they don’t go on the flight, you will lose your ticket cost etc.  I know it can be really hard.. i have lost thousands too.. on missing flight.. but I won’t take the risk.. because if something were to happen .. while you are in the air .. there is very little the airline/staff can do.

And if you think that you might miss your flight for whatever reasons.. you should try and book your flight with conditions.. that way .. you don’t have to lose the ticket totally.. but you can pay a penalty .. of usually only $50 .. and re-take the flight on another day.  So .. my last say.. never fly.. if you are not feeling good.  Imagine you sitting next to someone who cough and sneeze all thru’ your flight.. ?? now that must be devastating right..?

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A lot of airport has come a long way .. from the days that i used to fly some 20 yrs ago.  Even in Antigua, the departure lounge after security, I can use my Mac memory laptop on do my work and go on the internet.  So convenient.. and so easy .. once you know how.  And Israel .. Tel Aviv, I didn’t have any problems with getting online either.  So yes, I’m pretty sure .. that most Airports will keep you connected.. even if your flight is delayed, you can still chat with your girlfriend now on IM or Yahoo.  Gone are the days.. where you are stranded.. and you have to wait in line .. to use the phone, if you didn’t have roaming on your own cellphone.

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This is the Malaysia Airline Lounge in Melbourne Tullamarine.  i was actually quite surprised that the Malaysia Airline Lounge was quite a pleasant experience.  But don’t forget your boarding ticket before heading over to the lounge.  If you are flying business class, you are entitle to the facilities of the lounge .. like any other businessman.

Cozy and quiet .. not many businessmen around at this time of the morning.

Eating and drinking area.

No liquor for me.. but the bar is definitely full as you can see here.  My overall impression of the Malaysia Airline lounge was quite impressive, i really like that they are not intrusive.. and let you do your own things.

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Amsterdam is not only famous for it’s red light district, I can assure you.  Amsterdam has a lot more to offer to tourists than any book or tourist information magazines can offer you.  Folks from the UK or around Europe fly into Amsterdam often enough for a short break and we all know that Schipol Airport is the gateway to other parts of Europe as well as the rest if world.  Plus flights to Amsterdam are relatively cheap because of the many budget airlines they have coming from the UK.

Arriving at the Schipol Airport in the wee hours of the morning can be a bit chilly, but don’t be fooled by the quiet sights you see. Further up you will find many people getting ready to take a flight or waiting for the arrival of a loved one.  Cheap amsterdam flights is mostly the reason why Amsterdam is so accessible to vacationers.  Underneath Schipol Airport, you can also find the rail station.

For those who are visiting Amsterdam for the first time, you have to go visit the Red Light District, just because.  It’s not as bad as you think it is, definitely not BangKok, but yes there are sex shops and museums and cafes.  Oh by the way, just a tip (an important one) don’t take any pictures of people standing in the windows.  It can turn out to be rather crowded.  Taking Amsterdam flights with budget airlines like Jet2, bmibaby and even with Flybe is by no means asking you to fly with a two propeller aircraft. So like any frequent traveler like myself, I would use them all the time.

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A girlfriend of mine who flew long haul with Singapore Airlines (SQ) from LAX and Newark that departed late evening .. back to Singapore was complaining to me .. about how she shouldn’t have.  Just a tip for those flying long haul,  while your tour agent may tell you that you get a full day .. for flying such a late evening . .like 11pm.. or sometimes.. even 1am… it’s not really that good at all.. because you need to adjust the time zone .. when you come back over to the eastern side.

When you get on the plane.. you will be sleeping right away, now that really mess up your body biorhythm altogether. Take note that there are no shower facilities at the LAX airport/lounge nor Newark.. unlike Singapore Changi Airport.  For the male traveler it is bad enough. .and can you imagine.. not getting any shower for about 36 hrs..??  yup.. so remember. .if you are flying long haul.. try not to fly the late evening flights.. else you take at least only 48hrs to adjust.

PS :  SQ business class didn’t supplied me with any toothbrushes either.. and don’t even think of using the public washroom in LAX or Newark.

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Landing in Singapore Changi Airport..  be it going home or just a stopover.. one cannot helped but feel awfully proud to be a Singaporean.  Although, I have traveled thru’ many airports in the last 15 yrs of my life.. i’ll have to say.. that Singapore Changi Airport is one of the best that I’ve come across and feel safe and awfully efficient.  They have just about everything.. from hotel, to cafe .. restaurants to rest rooms.. and bookstores .. duty free shops.. by the mass.  Everything is just so beautiful.  Oh.. did i tell you they even have banks in the basement and a supermarket..??

Free internet ..  with coffee.. and just about every cuisine you would like to try is right here in Changi Airport that is its own mini city itself.  How many airport in the world can boast of non chaotic check ins.. and absolutely efficient services.  Taxi services just right outside each terminal.. and you can take the sky train from one terminal to another.  It’s really an awesome experience . .being in Changi Airport.  Even if you are not taking a flight.. the viewing deck is open to public. .and kids and adults just love this area.

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