Eating around the world

One of the best things about travelling is that you get to try different food. I grew up in city where food is well-loved and eating is the nation’s pastime.

Think Boston, and you think of Boston’s lobsters. As the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. , the Union Oyster House serves a scrumptious meal of lobsters and oysters.

Lobster meal at The Union Oyster House

 Lobster bisque at Fisherman Wharf in San Francisco. This warm bowl of soup was especially delicious after spending almost the entire day walking around a chilly San Francisco.

Yummy Lobster Bisque at Fisherman's Wharf

These 3 cups of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream may look ordinary. But these were bought fresh from the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory in Vermont, making them extra tasty!

Ben & Jerry's at Waterbury, Vermont

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour

 Famous Sally's Apizza at New Haven, Connecticut. This pizzeria was ranked amongst the top 10 on Travel channel’s American Top 100 Food. Just a few stores down the same street, there was Pepe's Pizzeria – a rival Pizzeria. Of course, we had to try pizzas from both pizzeria on the same night!

Sally's Apizza at New Haven, Connecticut

In Chicago, you have to try its famous deep-dish pizza. Different from its New York’s thin crust pizza, Chicago-style pizza has a buttery crust up to three inches tall at the edge, slightly higher than the large amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce, acting as a large bowl.

Giordano's deep dish in Chicago

In Philadelphia, the famous Philly Cheesesteak is a must! A sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll – the Philly Cheesesteak is simply delicious. Pat's and Geno's Steaks are some of the best you can find in Philadephia.

Philly Cheesesteak in Philly

 This is what people flying first-class on US Airways eat. I was upgraded to fly first-class after my original fight was cancelled because of a snow storm. While the rest of the people on the flight only had water to drink, we were served real food on real plates!

US Airways First Class Meal

Your Travel Beacon,
Cindy

What to do if the car is broken into

In our previous post, we discuss the possible measures that we can take to prevent a car break-in. Sometimes, the avoidable can happen despite the best measures we put in place. Should the unfortunate event of a break-in strike you while on a vacation, what can you do?

1. Stay safe
Should you see someone lingering near your vehicle and tampering with the vehicle, give out a yell. That should frighten the potential intruder. Do not pursue because the intruder may be armed. Your life may be endangered.

2. Inspect damage and call the police (if necessary)
If the vehicle has been damaged in an attempted break-in, or valuables have been taken away from the vehicle, call the police.

3. Be specific about your location
When talking to the dispatcher, try to provide as much information as possible. In particular, be specific about your location. Identify the address, cross streets or any landmarks.

Street sign, South Island (New Zealand)

4. Find out what has been stolen
While waiting for the police to arrive at your location, inspect the damages to the vehicle. Identify the items and valuable that had been stolen during the break-in. 

5. When the police arrives at the scene
Have your passport and international driving license ready, and provide the necessary information to the police. If you manage to catch a glimpse of the suspect, provide a detailed description of the suspect to the police and the direction when he had flee. Before the police leaves, be sure to get a copy of the report or the reference number for the case. If possible, do ask for the officer’s name and contact number in the event that you need more information about the case. 

6. Contact your car rental company or insurance company
If you have hired a vehicle, call the car rental company and report the incident. You should have a copy of your car rental contract with reference number or your name on it. Talk to the car rental company and you will be able to receive support from them. Be sure to hire a vehicle from a reputable company that provides the best on-site support.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

Car Break-In, How to Avoid

Once bitten, twice shy. We had our car broken into once while on a vacation. This weekend, we will embark on a self drive vacation to Canada. We will pass through Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec.

As we organise the trip, we start to ask ourselves what we can do better to avoid another break-in.

1. Avoid PDA (Public Display of Affluence)
Ensure that you keep all valuable items out of sight. As the saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind”. The best measure to prevent your car window from being smashed and your valuables stolen is never to leave anything valuable visible inside the car.

Common items left in car that encourage a car break-in include: GPS units, handbags and wallets, cell phones, MP3 players, chargers, laptops and cases, and loose change.

GPS units are the most common items stolen during a car break-in. Intruders’ eyes are peeled for the slightest sign that indicate a possible GPS unit in the car. Besides storing the unit out of sight, you have to ensure that the charger and the holder for the GPS unit are stored away too. It is also advisable to wipe off the suction cup ring on the windshield. It is a give-away that there might be a GPS unit in the car.

Although the loose change may not worth a lot, it can be a fortune to the intruder. To spare yourself the hassle of a smashed window, keep the loose change out of sight.

2. Store suitcases and backpacks in the trunk / boot when you check-out
It is best to store these items in the trunk / boot when you check-out of the hotel, before you travel to your next destination. Putting these items in the trunk / boot when you arrive at the parking spot can tip off an intruder who happens to be lingering nearby.

3. Choice of parking
It is preferable to park in a parking lot that has an attendant and with security measures in place. If this not possible, it is advisable to park on street with large amounts of desirable foot traffic. Also, the parking lot should be well-lit. Avoid side streets, even if the main street has sizeable foot traffic. Side streets tend to be more isolated and darker. Moreover, traffic along the main street does not necessarily play attention to what’s happening in the side streets.

4. Lock and check
Most importantly, roll up all windows and lock the vehicle. Finally, give everything a check before you walk away to ensure nothing is left visible to tempt the intruder, all windows are rolled up and the car is securely locked.

Hopefully with these measures, we will keep the intruder at bay. Enjoy that self drive vacation.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

The Last Frontier - Alaska Part II: Juneau and Glacial Bay National Park

…continued from the previous post

After leaving Denali National Park, the next stop on my itinerary was Juneau and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, springs to life during summer. Many Alaskan cruises dock at Juneau and tourists trawl the streets of Juneau.

The most popular attraction in Juneau is the mighty, magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. Everything about the Mendenhall is massive: its face is 100 feet tall and 1.5 miles wide; its length is over 12 miles. Large as it is, the Mendenhall is just a tiny part of the Juneau Icefield, an expanse of interconnected glaciers that sits atop the mountains behind Juneau. The Icefield covers 1,500 square miles.

Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier and Visitor Center has great exhibits to learn about the Glacial Phenomenal and to appreciate the enormous size of the Juneau Icefield. It is also the starting point of many hiking trail around the Glacier.

Glacial Ice that has been calved off

As I watched glacial ice drifting in the Mendenhall Glacier lake, I once again thought to myself that nature was truly amazing. I picked up a piece of glacial ice that found its way to shore. The journey this piece of ice took was nothing short of fascinating – taking 250 years to form, calving off the bluish Mendenhall and making its way into my hand. A piece of history without words. Old ice in a new age.

250 year old Glacial Ice

Ride the Mt Robert tramway for one of the most expansive views in SouthEast Alaska. There is the Chilkkat Mountains to the north, the Gastineau Channel to the south, Douglas Island to the west and the Silver Bowl Basin to the East. At the top, you will find hiking trails, an observatory, nature center etc.

View from the top

                  Mount Robert Tramway

Other things you can do is to visit the Douglas Island Pink & Chum Salmon Hatchery to learn about the salmon spawning process and to take the opportunity to taste a variety of salmon samples such as: king salmon dip, salmon caviar, salmon jerky and canned salmon. The Alaskan Brew Company also makes for an interesting visit to learn about brewing and bottling operations while sipping on their gold-rush recipe, Alaskan Amber, and other tasty brews.

Alaskan Brewery

Leaving Juneau, I made my way to the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road connects it to the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove. I reached the town of Gustavus by taking a short 30min ride on a Piper Cherokee Six.

Gustavus Airfield

Glacier Bay was originally discovered by John Muir in 1879 and was proclaimed a U.S. national monument in 1925. The world’s largest protected marine sanctuary, Glacier Bay National Park Preserve has attracted not only tourists wishing to catch a calving glacier up close and personal, but geologists and scientists interested in studying what are thought to be the fastest moving glaciers in the world.

Bartlett Cove

Glacier Bay National Park is one of the most serene places I have visited. I arrived at Bartlett Cove just in time to witness the amber sun set over the Fairweather Mountains. Standing on a boardwalk at the water’s edge, I felt miniscule amidst the vast and tranquil backdrop. I remembered with great regret that I had only scheduled two nights in this idyllic setting.

Sunset at Bartlett Cove

The various travel guidebooks that I had read in preparation for the trip had not prepared me for how breathtaking Glacier Bay truly is.The wonders of Glacier Bay is best described through an unhurried, personal encounter; taking a snapshot with your senses.

I went on a day cruise around Glacier Bay. The Park Ranger onboard my cruise was extremely knowledge. She told us about its history, explained the natural phenomena ongoing in Glacial Bay and pointed out humpback whales, stellar sea lions, different varieties of seabirds, bears etc along the way.

Sea Lions at Marble Island in Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay National Park was the last stop of my Alaskan Adventure. In the future, I would love to return to Alaska and continue to explore the other parts of this beautiful place.

"To the lover of pure wildness Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world." ..."it seems as if surely we must at length reach the very paradise of the poets, the abode of the blessed."-- John Muir

Your Travel Beacon,
Cindy

The Last Frontier - Alaska

One of the nicest places to visit in summer is Alaska. To date, Alaska remains one of the most beautiful places I have been to.

Alaska is different from every other destination in the world. It is a land of superlatives – its vast land size makes it the largest of all U.S. State. In fact, it is larger than all but 18 countries of the world!

The size of Alaska in comparison to the other US states!

I flew into the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and started my Alaskan adventure in Anchorage. The National Heritage center in Anchorage provides a good understanding of the Alaskan culture and its history. You can also enjoy a good meal of succulent Alaskan crab legs at a relatively reasonable price.

Succulent Alaskan Crab Legs

What I didn’t expect to see was a wild moose sashaying its way down mainstreet downtown Anchorage. It was a wildly unexpected moment for me but a common sight for the locals. Many simply shrugged and laughed. 

Next, I boarded the Alaska Rail to Denali. The best way to see Alaska is on railroad – This is Alaska RailRoad Corporation’s slogan and I wholeheartedly agree.

The Alaskan Railroad Corporation

I am a frequent train traveler but this was the only time I wished my 6 hours journey would never end. The seats were comfortable, the service was great but most importantly, the view was breathtaking. Staring out through the train’s huge glass windows at the spectacular mountain vistas, the tundra landscape and Alaska’s wildlife, I remembered thinking to myself that everyone should visit Alaska and ride the Alaskan Rail at least once in their lifetime. The guides onboard the train were knowledgeable and quick to point out interesting facts and wildlife as we passed them by.

View along the way - you can see the reflection of the train's windows

Ravines along the way

I spent the next few days in Denali National Park. Denali Park is home to North America's highest mountain, Mt. McKinley, towering over 20,300 feet tall.

First peek at Mt. McKinley

The 6 million acre National Park is one of the best opportunities to appreciate the Alaskan wildlife. During my few days at the Denali National Park, I saw black bears, moose, wolves, dall sheep, caribous, otters, bald eagles, golden eagle, beavers and many more. It was an extremely education experience for me.

Roads into Denali Park have restricted access and private vehicles are only allowed on the first fourteen miles. You will almost certainly want to travel further into the Park on a narrated bus tour or Park Service shuttle. I went on the full day Kantishna Wilderness Trails bus tour bringing me deep into Denali Park. The shuttle rides are so popular that reservations are made as far as one year in advance. There are ranger led programs everyday to help you further appreciate Denali.

I also took the time to visit Iditarod Champion’s Jeff King Husky Homestead.

The Iditarod is known as the last great race on earth. It is a race of over 1150 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills, and you have the Iditarod.

At Jeff’s Husky Homestead, I met with champion sled dogs, saw the dogs summer training in action, took a one hour narrated kennel tour and even got to cuddle some puppies. Since I doubt that I would plan to visit Alaska to witness the Iditarod race first hand, this was my Iditarod’s experience for me.

Alaskan Husky Puppy asleep in our arms!

Next stop on my itinerary – Juneau and Glacial Bay National Park…to be continued in the next post.

Your Travel Beacon,
Cindy

Disney World - a world for everyone

My 2011 new year’s eve was spent in Walt Disney World, Florida. The park was packed with families, children and adults. About 1 hour before the clock struck midnight, people were making a beeline towards the Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. Everyone wanted to secure a best spot for the countdown and the fireworks display. So did I.

Despite the huge crowd and the numerous Disney parades, there was very little chaos. I am very impressed with Disney World’s crowd control measures. Most importantly, the staff was polite and cheerful!

My personal favourite Disney theme parks will be Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I love Disney World for its size and convenience. Walt Disney World is also one of the world’s largest recreational resorts. It comprises of 4 parks – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

Penny Press Collection

When you are in the vicinity of Disney World, you will find yourself teleported into a magical world. The outside world no longer exists. All you will see are street signs that point to the Disney World’s attractions and Disney World’s buses. The free Disney buses take visitors to the attractions scattered around this massive resort. There is no need to look out for directions and to find a parking space. You can put your mind at ease and enjoy Disney World.

Disney World’s tagline is 4 worlds 1 park. Each of the 4 worlds are carefully planned to bring out the best in your Disney’s experience. Magic Kingdom is the most popular park for first timers, young children and people who love the iconic Disney’s castle. In this park, you will find the Cinderella Castle and Mickey’s Toontown. These classic Disney’s characters will certainly delight the children. Grown-ups are not left out either. There are exciting rides waiting for them – Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain.

Hollywood Studios offers visitors glimpses of Disney’s Hollywood history and live action shows that bring to life the scenes you have seen in Hollywood action movies. A must see live action show is the Lights, Actions Extreme Stunt show. Younger visitors will enjoy a session of The Magic of Disney Animation.

Stunt show at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. There are 2 major themes in Epcot – The World and Future World. The World showcases architecture and cuisine of 11 representative countries on Earth. Future World allows your imagination to go wild and offers you a look into Earth’s future.

Finally, there is the Animal Kingdom. It is an animal themed park. Without a trip to Africa, you are offered a taste of the safari and adventures in Africa. Do not write off this park as a zoo trip. The thrill ride Expedition Everest makes Animal Kingdom one of the most exciting parks in Disney World.

After a good day of fun, you will probably be dazed when you exit the park. Ushers are prominently placed across the parks and at the exits. They will direct you to the bus terminals that will take you back to the Disney Resorts for a good night of rest.

Disney World is not just for families and children. In fact, it is a worthwhile visit for adults. To be able to immense in this fun and relaxing atmosphere allows me to re-live my childhood and feel young at heart.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

Packing it all in - travelling without checking in luggage.

After my previous post Should I check in luggage?, I have received many feedback that it is impossible to fit everything into a small carry-on bag without having to sacrifice basic needs.

So, can you really travel without checking in any luggage?

Yes, of course you can! You just need to be smart with your packing.

First, a good carry-on bag is key. Most bags sacrifice functionality for style. I have seen many fancy looking bags with compartments for laptops/toiletries, but the reality is that these compartments take up both weight and precious space and the end effect is that you simply cannot pack as much as you ought to be able to.

Bags with hard cases or rounded edges may look good but are not the most practical bags around. What you want is a bag with a big cavernous space, soft case with ample space. These are my two favourite carry-on bags. In addition, I always carry a fold-up bag which transforms into a big bag if I need to extra luggage space. This gives me the option to check in this bag on my return trip if need be. It is less troublesome to deal with delayed luggage when you are in your home country rather than in your vacation destination.

An empty cavernous space to help you pack it all in

Ward off the temptation to pack everything you think you can carry! Seriously, you probably will not be reading much of that latest John Grisham’s novel on your vacation. A good magazine and one good guide book is enough. Alternatively, you can just photocopy essential pages out of your guide book for reference. Minimise the electronics you bring as well. A small netbook is perfect for accessing your emails and checking quick information. The true road warrior would be able to leave his netbook at home and work from his smartphone.

With the liquid restriction that TSA has imposed, you do not have to give up your skin care regime or bath without soap just because you hand-carry your luggage. I have taken to packing solid shampoo and soap bars when I travel. Contrary to popular belief, soap bars are not drying for the skin. There are many good brands of soap and shampoo bars that contain shea butter and do not dry out your skin.

You will be surprised to learn that there is a huge range of soaps, shampoos conditioners and even facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer in solid form is available. Lush and Burt’s Bee are a few of the more popular brands. Switching to bar saves you space, weight and most importantly, a small bar of soap lasts an incredibly long time.

My Solid Shampoo and Bath Soap

I understand that many ladies have a particular beauty regime and have to adhere strictly by it. This does not mean that you have to carry the full-size bottle of your facial product all over the world. Most leading cosmetic brands have travel friendly sizes. Also, ask your beautician for sample packs and you might be surprise at how freely they give them out sometimes. Facial sheet masks are also a good way to perk up a travel-weary face. There is no point carrying creams n liquids worth of facial product only to have your luggage lost – you won’t be able to use them anyway!

My stash of sample packs

Next, clothes. Multiple purpose is key. Pack clothes that are versatile and don’t wrinkle. Pants that can be transform into shorts, shirts that you can wear in both formal and casual places. Clothes that are lightweight and dry quickly are great. Pack clothes of neutral colours to maximize your wardrobe options. Personally, I love the Royal Robbin range of clothes. They are functional and look good.

Packing clothes into your luggage is a science in itself. Folding your clothes and stacking them on top of each other is not the most efficient way to pack. Rolling your clothes saves you a lot of space but also increases creases. I have read with much interest from Judith Gilford’s book that bundling is the new way to pack these days. I have yet to try the bundling technique myself but you can learn more about it here.

Remember, it is possible to travel without checking in any luggage.

Your Travel Beacon,
Cindy