Had you won the lottery, where would you travel?

Let me give you a few choices of what you could have done...

#1.  Spend $200,000 for a Virgin Galactic joyride in space, once available.  Read all about the 2.5 hour soon-to-be trip on our blog HERE.

#2.  You could always start small by spending 24 days and $68, 950 per person to fly around the world by private jet with Alex Trebek and National Geographic Expeditions.  Read more about it HERE.

#3.  How about a cruise costing you 1.5 million?  That price buys you 124 nights on the "worlds most luxury 124 day vacation" according to the cruise company, Silversea Silver Whisper.  It features private jet and helicopter transfers and takes off January 4th, 2013.

Guess what this blogger bought?

The new I-Pad!   Weeeeeeeeeee...

That's right, I picked up the new I-Pad on Friday from our local Apple store.  I was surprised that there wasn't big lines, but maybe that's cause I went at 11am - 3 hours after the "rush."  Anyway, first impressions:  The screen is HD, bright and feels good.  It's a speedy machine with plenty of battery life.  Out of the box I used it for about 10 hours.  

Will I use it when I travel?  But of course.  It's a great tool to read books with, stay in touch with friend/family/work, music and video.  I got the WiFi only unit so I'll need to be near a source or lug along my Virgin MiFi unit.  

It's not out on Amazon.com yet, but when it does, the prices will start off at $499.  Is it a good purchase?  YES!   That's unless you have an I-Pad 2.  If that's the case I think I'd wait for the next big I-Pad release, which knowing Apple, will be sooner rather than later.

March 10th is National Passport Day

If you can't stand the idea of waiting FOREVER to get a passport, this story might peak your interest.  March 10th, 2012 is National Passport Day here in America.  What's that mean?  On that date, U.S. citizens are allowed to apply for U.S. passports without an appointment.

Head over to one of the regional offices and fill out the paperwork, then choose standard processing (4-6 weeks) or pay an additional $60 for expedited processing (2-3 weeks, door-to-door).

For more info, go here:  www.travel.state.gov/passport.

Ice skate at Rockefeller for just $7.50

If you're visiting Manhattan, you may be able to lace up a deal!  The ice rink at Manhattan's Rockefeller Center is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a $7.50 Tuesday promotion (skate rental included).

The deal runs through February 7th, 2012.  It includes four hours on the ice.  Typical pricing this time of year would start at $21 for adult rink time and skate rental and $16.50 for children under 11.  So jump on it kids!

Travel to North Korea?

Call it ignorance but I always figured North Korea was one of those off limit places to travel. But in reading all of the stories about now dead Kim Jong II, I see that people did indeed travel there.

A travel agency that specialized in travel to the mysterious country hosted trips that would set you back about $2,000 and up but gave you a peak behind the curtain.

(Beach near Lake Sijung, North Korea)

Visitors were surprised to find few cars, low pollution and not many people running around - and all of this being in the cities! Why? Well, most citizens of North Korea work 6 long days per week, can't afford cars and the economy is always slow.

Now with the "Dear not-so-eternal" leader gone changes are surly in store. Will North Korea turn into a new travel destination? They do boast a long coastline and inland mountains.

Time will tell.

Get a free ride, on a bus!

As of today, the city-to-city express bus service Megabus.com is offering 200,000 free seats for travel January 4th to March 1st, 2012.  The free trips can be booked to or from more than 70 U.S. cities and even Toronto.  To get in on the free'ness travelers must use the promo code:  GOFREE on their website.

Since the offer is limited and subject to availability, you're more likely to snag a freebie if you're flexible and can travel midweek, particularly on such popular routes as Washington, D.C.- New York City.  I did a sample test and said I wanted to travel from New York to Boston on February 21st, 2012 returning the next day.   The price I got?  FREE!  It works!

  

(inside a Megabus)

Megabus.com, which launched in 2006, is among a growing number of intercity bus services offering cheap (as low as $1 each way) fares with such frills as free Wi-Fi and power outlets.  LonelyPlanet is even saying that the Northeaster US is easier to travel due to companies like Megabus, because they make it possible to "hop-scotch across the region without booking a flight or hiring a car."

So again, go to www.megabus.com and use the pormo code:  GOFREE.

Paradise found? Rum Cay, Bahamas

I read about this island in a book I was reading by Clive Cussler, the book was Spartan Gold. If you like a great book filled with face paced adventure, make sure to check out the link on the bottom of this page. But to the topic at hand, Rum Cay!

(explore Rum Cay on Google Earth HERE)

In the fictional book a daring couple landed on Rum Cay looking for a hidden ship. But Rum Cay is real! It's a 30 square mile island located in the chain of islands, The Bahamas. The island is believed to have acquired its modern name from a shipwrecked cargo of rum. The main settlement on the island is Port Nelson. It's a barley populated island consisting of just 93 people back in 2005. There are a few former settlements such as Port Boyd, Black Rock and Gin Hill bur are now deserted and overgrown.

Besides having a cool name and just 3 people per square mile, Rum Cay is an island filled with reported hidden pirate caves! That's right, pirates used to frequent this island and it's deep reefs and drop-offs that surround it. At the Grand Canyon, 60-foot coral walls almost reach the surface!

A little more on the pirate history: Pirates roamed these parts for many years with evidence of a sword even being found off of Sumner Point Marina. The spirit of the energy of that sword passed through those hands and continues to roam throughout Rum Cay to this day! Whisperings of Black Gold off Sumner Point still float around the island. The pirates were finally driven out of the Bahamas after Captain Woodes Rogers was appointed Royal Governor in 1718.

If you want to escape to Rum Cay for an isolated vacation here's how you do it. You'll either need to fly in or arrive by a boat. Most people fly in using Rum Cay's 4,500 airstrip that opened up in 2004. See it HERE. If you're in South Florida you can fly using Air Charter Bahamas but it'll cost you about $4,200 for a 1-way flight. A cheaper method is to fly out of Nassau for around $120 per person 1-way. But you'll have to get yourself to Nassau first. This is done with Cat Island Air and they can be reached at 242-377-3318.

(for a ton of amazing Rum Cay pics, go HERE)

One you arrive you can book a 1 bedroom villa from $125 per night from www.rumcaymarina.com. Think about it, if you and your loved one arrive in Rum Cay you'll take the population from 93 to 95 just like that. They have a few little markets and restaurants you can feed yourself at then the island is yours to explore. Diving, exploring old pirate caves, chilling on the beach or fishing. It's island living at it's basics.


All this Rum Cay talk wants me to book a trip myself to see what it's all about. If anyone has gone, please post a comment with your thoughts on the island. And if you're down for the good read, it's posted below...

Grotto Bay in Bremuda - a quick review

Grotto Bay Resort in Bremuda has a way cool beach and mysterious grotto would make this 21-acre resort stand out on any island.   But, on sometimes-pricey Bermuda, it's one of the few all-inclusive options.

Snorkelers and divers love the private beach with an off-shore shipwreck to explore.  And the spa in a cave is a unique amenity.  It's open year round, but temperatures do drop in winter.

 (Check out the resort on Google Maps)

While staying at Grotto Bay you can enjoy activities such as bike riding, water sports, sailing, tennis such as golf, diving, Average room price: $454 based on from October 15th to November 15th, 2011 for two adults in one room.

Check them out further at: www.grottobay.com.

Unhappy with how you look? See the Don!

The Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ is giving away a $25,000 cosmetic surgery package to one lucky winner on October 29th, 2011.  It's all part of a month long contest where players earn credits toward the contest from Oct. 2 through 29.   Then on October 29th the winner will be reveled and YOU must be there and have your Trump player’s card inserted into a casino machine in order to win.

According to the web site, www.infoplasticsurgery.com, which the casinos cite in their promotion, an arm lift can cost $5,000 to $6,500; Botox treatments range from $200 to $400 per area; breast augmentation surgery costs from $5,000 to $8,000; chin or cheek implants cost $3,000 to $4,500; and liposuction can range from $2,500 to $10,000.   If you win the contest you can mix-and-match your way up to the $25,000 limit.

For more info about the contest visit their official site at:  http://www.trumptaj.com/casino/promotions.

How much to tip cab drivers

Once upon a time I used to work for tips, so maybe I'm a non-biased person to talk about how much you should tip a taxi driver.  But I also believe in service, don't leave a anybody, even a taxi driver, and nice standard tip if it's non-deserving. 

The folks over at hotels.com took a poll that included about 5,000 travelers from 23 countries to find out more about the tipping habits of taxi cab users.  The survey found that 6% of Americans never tip their cab drivers - 37%  tip 10% of the fare - 17% tip 20% and the rest offer other amounts.

What do I tip?  Well, let's see...last weekend I took a cab that cost only $8.25 for the ride.  I gave him a $10 spot, so I hit him with a 18% tip.   So I guess I was par for decent tipping.  Well done to me!   :-)

2 far out places complete with Google Maps

Barker Ranch - home to Charles Manson

Google Map

(what's left of Barker Ranch after recent fires)

Barker Ranch is infamous as the last hideout of Charles Manson and his "family" after the gruesome Los Angeles murder spree. It is located inside Death Valley National Park in eastern California.  The Inyo County sheriff department, California Highway Patrol, and National Park Service law enforcement captured the group in raids on October 10 and October 12, 1969.

The Christopher McCandless Alaskan Hideout

Google Map

(the bus still sits in Alaska - 2011 photo)

Christopher Johnson McCandless was an American hitchhiker hiked into the Alaskan wilderness with little food and equipment, hoping to live a period of solitude.  Four months later, McCandless' remains were found, weighing only 67 pounds.  He passed away at the young age of 24.

Did the VA earthquake really damage the Washington Monument?

At 1:51 p.m in Virgina a 5.8 earthquake shook several states including Washington, DC and it's famed Washington Monument.  Even tho the monument is 89 miles northeast of the quake's epicenter the monument did suffer light damage.

Officials say the Washington Monument, the 170-meter obelisk located on the National Mall, is closed indefinitely after cracks were found at the top.  A helicopter inspection discovered a crack near the pyramid-shaped tip after Tuesday's quake and another inspection is planned today.  Meanwhile, it remains closed.

Dress up while flying and possibly score perks!

These days when you look around the airport you'll notice 99% of the flyers are dressed like they're heading to the gym or like they're heading to a Walmart.  And that's all well and good, BUT, something has been going on lately at airports.  People who dress up really nice are sometimes being offered an upgrade in seating!

(does this guy look better or...)

I was on a flight from Los Angeles to Phoenix and got called to the guests service counter.  At first I thougth they were going to ask me if I was willing to take another flight or something.  Come to find out I was called there due to my suit that I had on (I was going to a business meeting) and the powers-to-be offered me a FREE upgrade to first class based on my outfit.

(...or this woman?)

There were a few extra seats up front and I got one!  So that $350 Hugo Boss suit I bought from the back of a car one day here in Los Angeles seems to be paying off!   I got to researching the 'net and found a few other cases where this has happened.  Does this mean if you wear a suit you'll get a automatic upgrade?   No, but you might!   And you'll look big pimping as you fly either way.

A funny commercial from Travelocity

This is a newer commercial put out by online travel company, Travelocity.  It features a couple on a beach who apparently, are in a very happy mood.

Him:  "You look like a beach angel"  Her:  "Ahhahahahahahah"

Pirates at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

If you dig pirates and you're in the Denver area the National Geographic has an exhibit you'll wanna check out.  It all ends August 21st, 2011 so you better hurry to cash in on the pirate booty that awaits you!   Explore more than 200 artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Whydah -- the first fully authenticated pirate ship ever to be discovered in U.S. waters.

The Whydah, a real pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago, was sank in a fierce storm on April 26, 1717 taking legendary pirate "Black Sam" Bellamy and the majority of his crew with it.   Since it's been recovered you'll now be able to explore treasure chests of gold coins, jewelry, cannons, pistols, knives, and a life-size replica of the ship's stern that visitors can board!   Arrrghhhh!

The Whydah started off as a slave ship when it was launched in 1715 from London.  It was a three-masted ship of galley-style design, measuring 105 feet in length, rated at 300 tons of cargo, and could travel at speeds up to 13 knots (14.95 mph).   In late February of 1717 the Whydah was cruising the Windward Passage between Cuba and Hispaniola when it was attacked by pirate "Black Sam" Bellamy.

(real pirate booty)

 The wreck of the Whydah was rediscovered in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford (relying heavily on the 1717 map that Southack drew of the wreck's location).  Now it's findings are on a tour of the US at exhibitions.  It's in Denver now but if you miss it there you'll find it next up in New York.

Check out their cool website at:  www.piratesexhibit.com.

Travel Alaska by train - way cool

This is a trip I'd really enjoy doing.  Sure, it's not my normal vacation wish list of the sunny Caribbean but think about it...cruise our Nation's largest state by train.   Forget about a cruise to Alaska, this is how you see the countryside of the Last Frontier.    

Each year about 3 million people visit Alaska but over 60% of them do it via a cruise ship.  I got nothing against that, that'd be cool too.  But there's something romantic about taking a nice train ride thru the country's wild backwoods.   But train ridership is picking up, this year the Alaska Railroad reported it's business is up 10% over this time last year.   

Alaska Railroad, the last full-service railway in the USA, cuts through 470 miles of Alaskan wilderness, punctuated by the occasional appearance of moose, sheep, bear and other wildlife.   They offer different routes prices starting off from $49.  Price list:  www.alaskarailroad.com/fare.

(the average speed is 38 mph - top speed is 65mph)

    Current routes include

The Coastal Classic winds its way south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm before turning south to the Kenai Peninsula, eventually reaching Seward. This 114-mile (183 km) journey takes around four and a half hours due to some slow trackage as the line winds its way over the mountains.

    The Glacier Discovery provides a short (2 hour) journey south from Anchorage to Whittier for a brief stop before reversing direction for a stop at Grandview before returning to Anchorage in the evening.

    The Hurricane Turn provides rail service to people living between Talkeetna and the Hurricane area. This area has no roads, and the railroad provides the lifeline for residents who depend on the service to obtain food and supplies. One of the last flag-stop railway routes in the United States, passengers can board the Hurricane Turn anywhere along the route by waving a large white flag or cloth.

    The Aurora is available in winter months (September 15 - May 15) on a reduced weekend schedule (Northbound, Saturday mornings; Southbound, Sunday mornings) between Anchorage and Fairbanks. It is a 12 hour ride and departs at 8:15 a.m.

    The Denali Star runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks (12 hours one-way) and back with stops in Talkeetna and Denali National Park, from which various flight and bus tours are available. Although the trip is only about 356 miles (573 km), it takes 12 hours to travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks as the tracks wind through mountains and valleys; the train's top speed is 59 miles per hour but sometimes hovers closer to 30 miles per hour.

Check them out further on their website:  www.alaskarailroad.com.

A United frequent-flier hits 10 million miles

You think YOU travel a lot.  Out of Chicago comes a automotive sales consultant who's flown over 10,000,000 miles with United Airlines.  This is an actual confirmed amount.  He's been with United Airlines for the last 29 years flying an average of 340,000 miles a year.  

The frequent flyer, Tom Stuker, hit the 10 mil milestone July 9th somewhere above the cornfields of Iowa on United Flight 942 from Los Angeles to Chicago.  Upon landing in Chicago Stuker got a special celebration with United Continental CEO Jeff Smisek, and other airline bigwigs, on hand to congratulate him. 

 * photo credit to AP

What does get in return for his loyalty to United?   For starters, he's earned 50 million "redeemable" miles - a total that's been padded with elite bonuses.   United also states that whenever Stuker calls United reservations, "all he has to say is 'Hi.' The agent on the other end of the line will immediately recognize who is calling and take special care" of him.

He's also been awarded with a commemorative book listing every United flight he's flown since he joined the frequent-flier program.   Good job Tom!

Saving beach/pool chairs at a resort

It's an age old problem at travel resorts across the globe.  People who get up early to save a spot on the beach or near the pool, by putting their belongings on the chairs then often times they don't even come back for hours to even use the spot while others suffer.

There's often times no real rules.  Resorts hope that their guests will follow basic etiquette but it's always a problem.   Should there be a time limit on how long you can be away from your chairs with your stuff on it?  30 mins?  60 mins?

IMHO, in my humble opinion, I think it's rude.  Everyone at a resort pays an equal share, for anyone to just dump their stuff on a chair and leave for a few hours is nothing short of hogging a space.  But the problem becomes THEY get all pissy when you move their stuff after then finally come out.

Hedonism II in Negril has a new towel policy.  This policy has kept the chair hogging problems down recently as people are less willing to save chairs with personal belongings or non-plentiful towels.

Vote below, how long should someone leave items before the chair is "free game?"

More and more airports offer free WiFi

If you travel a lot, or even just a little, one thing you'll notice at airports are people looking for WiFi and power for their devices.  A lot of airports are starting to offer both, for free.  San Francisco, Orlando, Seattle, Sacramento, San Jose, Washington, Tampa, Denver and Boston...they're all free among hundreds of others.

(a Tampa International Airport free computer station)

Non-free WiFi airports?  Los Angeles, Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Newark, and infamous airports JFK and LaGuardia Airport are all paid WiFi at this point.   Other airports like Houston and Oklahoma City offer 45 and 20 mins respectively free WiFi.

I can only imagine within a few years most airport will offer free WiFi.  Now if they would all add more power outlets this traveler will be really happy.  I remember walking around Phoenix for 30 mins looking for power and the only working strip I could find had a family all plugged in and playing Angry Birds on an I-Pad.

One solution to WiFi on the road...A sweet WiFi travel gadget.

Take trip to a diamond field!

Back in February I blogged about how you can pan for gold while on a vacation with this post:  Take a gold panning vacation.  Now I'm gonna tell you about a place where you can hunt (and keep) diamonds!   That's right, in Murfreesboro, Arkansas there's a little place called Crater of Diamonds State Park where you're allowed to hunt and keep diamonds.  And about 300 to 600 diamonds are found per year by visitors.

(The average size of a diamond is 

about the size of a paper match head)

Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world where the public can search for diamonds. What you find is yours to keep.  The park has camping and and on-site water park for those not seeking treasures.  Adults get a day pass for $7 and kids get in for $4.  At that point you can also choose to rent shovels, panning tools and buckets from the office (for about $8), or you can simply just kick around the dirt and look.  

Do people actually find diamonds?   Yes!  Check out this link to recent finds:  www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/recentfinds, most finds are under a carat and in a lot of cases the diamonds are yellow or brown in color making them not too valuable.   Just this year a man from Colorado found a white 8.66 carat diamond in these very fields.   The professional treasure hunters at the park's visitors' center offer a free service to help determine if your find is a diamond or a dud.