Rapid travel Chai: Extreme International Travel at FTU DCA 2014

December 7, 1941December 7, 1941

Thin Red Line in Solomon Islands

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

Yamamoto’s Bunker, Papua New Guinea


Peleliu


Manila and Corregidor


Extreme International TravelFTU DCA 2014

Extreme International TravelFTU DCA 2014

Stefan KrasowskiRapid Travel Chai

Ebola Isn’t The Big Travel Story


ISIS May Be

“You Went Where???”


- Rapid Travel Chai definition ofExtreme International Travel

Or stop calling them ‘Dream Trips’


Just call them trips

Who am I?

I lived in China for 8 years

I work in international business

I plan obsessively

I travel fast

I come back exhausted

My wife is the opposite

I lived in China for 8 years

I work in international business

I plan obsessively

I travel fast

I come back exhausted

My wife is the opposite


Where Have I Traveled?

122 UN Countries

179 Travelers’ Century Club Countries


Where am I Heading to Tonight?


Itinerary

Why

How

Where


Why Extreme?


French Canada or France in Canada?

St. Pierre & MiquelonMontreal, Quebec


Photo by Gord McKenna ,flickr

How to Get to St. Pierre & Miquelon?

United or Air Canada to St. John’s, Newfoundland

Drive to Fortune and take the daily summer ferry


Tourist Hordes in Rome or Rome in Africa?

Colosseum, Rome Colosseum, El-Jem, Tunisia


Photo by jimmyharris, flickr

And While You’re in Tunisia


How to Get to Tunisia?

2 hour flight from Europe – easy for FTU-ers!


Inspired Star Wars Sandcrawler

Cons and Pros


Cons

Red tape (visas) can be a hassle

Some destinations unavoidably expensive

Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels

Stress…especially with companions


Red tape (visas) can be a hassle

Some destinations unavoidably expensive

Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels

Stress…especially with companions

Andaman Islands, India

Awards can do a lot, but not everything

Delta or United award to Guam or Saipan

Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261

Rental SUV $50

= Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base


Delta or United award to Guam or Saipan

Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261

Rental SUV $50

= Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base

Enola Gay Loading PitAir Ops BuildingFreedom Air

Pros

Some places every day is off-peak

Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds

No tourist industry = few tourist scams

Authentic interaction with locals

Make a difference with your dollars

Learn


Some places every day is off-peak

Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds

No tourist industry = few tourist scams

Authentic interaction with locals

Make a difference with your dollars

Learn

Kyrgyzstan

Dominican Republic’s Tourist East


Photo by Marlene lls, flickr Photo by Larry Armstrong, flickr

Dominican Republic’s Quiet West


Where to Start?


UNESCO SitesBhimbetka Rock Shelters and Sanchi Buddhist Monuments,Bhopal, India


Traveler’s Century Club

Anne of Green Gables & lobster suppers,Prince Edward Island, Canada


Thorn Tree Forum for Destination Info

Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum


Tips


US Passports

Get the large passport book

Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID

Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI andadd to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck

Have scans and copies

Get the large passport book

Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID

Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI andadd to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck

Have scans and copies


Second US Passports

Great for frequent travelers who need visas

Easy process

Only valid for two years


Visa Requirements for US Citizens

166 countries Visa Free or Visa on ArrivalSources: Henley & Partners, Wikipedia


Visas for US CitizensCheck embassy websites

Check travel.state.gov

Specialist visa agents vs big generalists

10-year China & India and 3-year Russia tourist visas

Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance

Yes, you need a visa for Australia

Check embassy websites

Check travel.state.gov

Specialist visa agents vs big generalists

10-year China & India and 3-year Russia tourist visas

Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance

Yes, you need a visa for Australia


Money – Cash

Cash is still king

Traveler’s checks are dead

Carry a cheat sheet or app for fx rates

Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements

Avoid anything Travelex!!!

Cash is still king

Traveler’s checks are dead

Carry a cheat sheet or app for fx rates

Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements

Avoid anything Travelex!!!


Money – Credit Cards

Logo in the window may only mean local cards

Chip and Signature cards work most of the time

Chip and Pin cards for heavy EU travelers (Diners Club)


Handy Credit Card Benefits

Chase & Citi – trip delay coverage

Discover – accepted in China via UnionPay, Japan via JCB


Tech

Unlocked phone + local SIM card

T-Mobile – unlimited data & text to 120+ countries

Encrypt – TrueCrypt

Get a VPN – WiTopia

Unlocked phone + local SIM card

T-Mobile – unlimited data & text to 120+ countries

Encrypt – TrueCrypt

Get a VPN – WiTopia


Insurance

Insure yourself, your trip, or your stuff?

Credit cards often insureyour trip and your stuff

I insure myself – GeoBlueTrekker Choice annual plan

Annual or per trip?

insubuy.com,travelinsurancecenter.com


Credit cards often insureyour trip and your stuff

I insure myself – GeoBlueTrekker Choice annual plan

Annual or per trip?

insubuy.com,travelinsurancecenter.com

Health

CDC Yellow Book @ cdc.gov/travel

Know scientific names of your meds(aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid)

Plan ahead for vaccines

Malaria pills pros and cons

International Certificate of Vaccination

CDC Yellow Book @ cdc.gov/travel

Know scientific names of your meds(aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid)

Plan ahead for vaccines

Malaria pills pros and cons

International Certificate of Vaccination


Yellow Fever

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights ReservedSource: CDC Yellow Book 2014

Safety

Don’t be:DrunkDruggedDebauched

Especially when youdon’t speak thelanguage or know thelegal system

The Rapid Travel Chai ‘3 Ds’ of Travel Safety

Don’t be:DrunkDruggedDebauched

Especially when youdon’t speak thelanguage or know thelegal system


ISIS

ISIS is rapidly shifting the travel map

Anyone can be a target

Closely monitor local conditions with local sources

Great trips to Middle East still possible


ISIS is rapidly shifting the travel map

Anyone can be a target

Closely monitor local conditions with local sources

Great trips to Middle East still possible

Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali

Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali


Some Offbeat Star Alliance Awards

Ethiopian from DC to Africa

Copa in Latin America

Turkish flies to more countries than any airline, 100+

United now partners with Azul for Brazil

Ethiopian from DC to Africa

Copa in Latin America

Turkish flies to more countries than any airline, 100+

United now partners with Azul for Brazil


United Micronesia Island HopperJoin missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders


Pohnpei


Palau and Peleliu


Some Offbeat One World Awards

Avios, Avios, Avios – fill in gaps on itineraries

Use for Canada, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean,Australia, Pacific and Russia

Example: Sri Lankan several daily flights to Maldives

Avios, Avios, Avios – fill in gaps on itineraries

Use for Canada, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean,Australia, Pacific and Russia

Example: Sri Lankan several daily flights to Maldives


Always Check Non-Alliance Partners, Too

+


+

British Airways Avios are AwesomeRedeem for short, expensive flights

Fill in gaps on itineraries

Africa, Canada, Pacific, South America flights


Check Non-Alliance Partners, Too

+


+

British Airways Avois.com AccountUse London address to register

Book Air Aurigny flights to Channel Islands


Guernsey, Channel Islands


Some Offbeat SkyTeam Awards

Delta seasonal flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada

AeroMexico for Latin America and even to Europe/Asia

Gol in Brazil and to Brazil from Orlando

Air France to Madagascar and Indian Ocean

China Eastern/Southern + China Airlines to Asia

Virgin Australia to Solomons, Christmas & Cocos Islands

Saudia for overflowing award space

Delta seasonal flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada

AeroMexico for Latin America and even to Europe/Asia

Gol in Brazil and to Brazil from Orlando

Air France to Madagascar and Indian Ocean

China Eastern/Southern + China Airlines to Asia

Virgin Australia to Solomons, Christmas & Cocos Islands

Saudia for overflowing award space


Fernando de Noronha, Brazil


Air France KLM Caribbean Hopper

Visit Caribbean on the way to Europe

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have hoppers, too


French Guiana and Suriname


Air Where the Awards Don’t Go


Air – Research

Wikipedia’s airport and airline pages


Air – Booking

Find flights on ITA Matrix for most airlines

Locate booking options on Hipmunk


Air – Budget Airlines

skyscanner.com andwhichbudget.com

Price all the extras

Know the airport –where in ‘London’?

Know the terminal –Malaysian remote LCCTs

Air Asia is awesome

skyscanner.com andwhichbudget.com

Price all the extras

Know the airport –where in ‘London’?

Know the terminal –Malaysian remote LCCTs

Air Asia is awesome


Air – Obscure Airlines

OneTravel for hard to ticket airlines

Get reservation record AND ticket number


Ideas


Americas


Moonscapes in Bolivia


La Paz

How to Get to Bolivia?

Avianca or LAN to La Paz

Santa Cruz has AA and more but no Uyuni flights

Overland from Peru at Lake Titicaca

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights ReservedLake Titicaca

Bolivia Practicalities

Visa on arrival at all points of entry ($135)

Land transport is very rough – fly to Uyuni

Uyuni tour is high altitude and physically difficult


La Paz – Uyunibus breakdown

Otherworldly Salar de Uyuni


Jesuits and Germans in Paraguay


Deserted UNESCOJesuit missions

German yerbamate farmers

Itaipú Dam+ +

How to Get to Paraguay?

AA nonstop from Miami, or Latin American airlines

Overland from Argentina (Iguazú Falls or Posadas)


American Airlines Miami – Asunción inaugural flight

Paraguay Practicalities

Visa required – on arrival for air only ($160)

Major cities have safety issues – stay in German towns

Need land transport – only domestic flight is Asunciónto Ciudad del Este (Brazil border)


Visa required – on arrival for air only ($160)

Major cities have safety issues – stay in German towns

Need land transport – only domestic flight is Asunciónto Ciudad del Este (Brazil border)

Asunción Airport

Europe


Divided Cyprus


4th-century BC Tombs of the Kings, Pafos

How to Get to Cyprus

Larnaca and Paphos served by many airlines

Turkish-controlled Ercan served mainly from Turkey


OnurairIstanbul-Ercan

Cyprus Practicalities

No issue going in/out Turkish-controlled territory

Bringing rental cars across is difficult – rent on both sides


Divided Nicosia

Soviet Land in Transnistria


Batman Lenin

How to Get to Transnistria?

Fly to Chisinau, Moldova on Austrian, Tarom, Turkish

Bus to Terespol (avoid Russia through-trains)


Transnistriaborder

Transnistria Practicalities

Moldova permits tourists to visit with no hassle

Visa on arrival process subject to whim

Extremely little English spoken

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights ReservedWedding Party

Africa


Zimbabwe – Zambia – Botswana Triangle


Victoria Falls

How to Get to Victoria Falls?

BA Avios to Victoria Falls or Livingstone from Johannesburg

Star Alliance: South African or Ethiopian

Day tour to Botswana’s Chobe National Park


Everything butthe lions

Victoria Falls Practicalities

Zimbabwe’s tourist industry is fine, despite the economy

Visa on arrival for Zambia & Zimbabwe, free for Botswana

Colonial Victoria Falls Hotel & Royal Livingstone


Victoria Falls Hotel

Bargain French & Lemurs in Madagascar


Luxury for $100/night

How to Get to Madagascar?

SkyTeam: great availability on Air France & Kenya Airways


Lemurs inAndasibe

Madagascar Practicalities

Visa on arrival (free)

Road network is dreadful

Great value hotels and French cuisine


Countryside around TanaThe capital Tana

Middle East


Iran Loves Americans


At least the people do!

How to Get to Iran?

Europe and Middle East carriers fly to Tehran and more

Land entry from Turkey (US/UK may have issues)


Lake near Shiraz

Iran Practicalities

US/UK citizens must book agency tour with guide

Expect 2-3 month visa process, apply at Pakistan Embassy

Iranians are cosmopolitan and very friendly to Americans

Watch Rick Steves Iran Lecture: http://bit.ly/1lgelmT


US/UK citizens must book agency tour with guide

Expect 2-3 month visa process, apply at Pakistan Embassy

Iranians are cosmopolitan and very friendly to Americans

Watch Rick Steves Iran Lecture: http://bit.ly/1lgelmT

Home decoration expo

Iran Mosaic


Iran Mosaic


Asia Pacific


Serene Bhutan


Tiger’s Nest

How to Get to Bhutan?

Get to New Dehli, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore

Connect on national carrier Druk Air


Druk Air

Bhutan Practicalities

Must book with tour agent who arranges visa on arrival

Government all-inclusive rates based on group size

Peak months single person tour US$290/day

Last (departure) day free


Must book with tour agent who arranges visa on arrival

Government all-inclusive rates based on group size

Peak months single person tour US$290/day

Last (departure) day free

Guides in requiredtraditional dress

Himalayan Idyll


Turkmenistan the Wacky ‘Stan


The Gates of Hell

How to Get to Turkmenistan?

Star Alliance Lufthansa and Turkish; OneWorld S7

SkyTeam China Southern from Ürümqi for Silk Road trips

Azerbaijan by ferry, Uzbekistan by land


NeighborhoodMiG in Mary

Turkmenistan Practicalities

Tourist visa requires guided tour and long process

Transit visa is guide-fee but lots of restrictions

Average summer temperatures 100⁰F+

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights ReservedMy guide in 130⁰F+ heat in non-AC Soviet jeep to Gonur

Edifice Complex


My Head Hurts,Just Send Me to the Caribbean

My Head Hurts,Just Send Me to the Caribbean


Then Go Where the Cruise Ships Aren’t


Saba


Montserrat


And I Leave You to Figure OutHow to Get There!

And I Leave You to Figure OutHow to Get There!


Thank You

[email protected]@rapidtravelchai

rapidtravelchai.com
