Show/hide menu

The Smarter Way to Travel™

Tag Archive: journey

  1. Navigating an Airport – Getting there and checking in

    Leave a Comment

    No two airports are built the same, but for the travelling public they all have one thing in common, their purpose. That purpose is to get passengers from the ground, into the air on a flight to their destination; help passengers connect between flights not served non-stop from their origin; and receive arriving passengers, be it domestic or international. Each of these scenarios follows a slightly different pattern, but getting you on or off a plane is the goal.

    For any traveller, the mantra should be: leave yourself plenty of time. With lineups and security delays, the last thing you want to do is to miss your flight. Airlines and airports publish recommended check-in times so check with them before your trip. Plan your journey to the airport. Are you driving? Taking a train? Is someone dropping you off? Are you getting a cab? Your journey doesn’t start at the airport so plan for this as part of the overall experience and feel relaxed the moment you step in to the terminal.

    If you’re on the airport’s website, try and see if there’s a map. Often there will be a digital file or web page which has a schematic of the airport. Acquaint yourself with the layout, find where your airline’s check-in counter is. How do you get from there to Security, and then on to your gate? Have a picture in your head and you’ll find that you’re more confident and less stressed on the day of travel.

    If you’re flying in business class, first class, or you have elite status; you often have designated check-in counters. Check with your airline and see if you’re eligible to use these and once you’re at the airport have your confirmation or membership card ready to show to staff. If you’ve checked-in online and you already have your boarding pass, look for baggage drop counters. the queues for these counters are often shorter than check-in queues and you’ll speed through the airport a lot quicker. Didn’t have a chance to check-in online or print your boarding pass? Look for the touch-screen kiosks for your airline and use these to check-in. This should also give you a boarding pass and let you use the Bag-Drop counters.

    Once this is done, it’s time to wave goodbye to anyone who has accompanied you and make your way to security. More to follow…

  2. 6 Places in Cambodia You Shouldn’t Miss

    Leave a Comment

    Despite its turbulent past, Cambodia has become a mainstay on the Southeast Asia backpacking route and sees million of international visitors every year. So what are the 6 Places in Cambodia you shouldn’t miss?While neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam are ostensibly more popular, Cambodia has an under-stated charm that captivates visitors. Indeed, Cambodia is one of those places that has everything, from mouth-watering food, to world class scenery. If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia, you would be crazy not to dedicate a decent chunk of time exploring this fascinating country.

    If you’re looking for inspiration for your trip to Cambodia, here are six places that you absolutely have to visit while you’re there.

    Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

    Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s pride and joy and the number one reason why people travel to the country. The Angkor Wat complex consists of dozens of temples, ruins, shrines, palaces, and mausoleums, dating back to the 12th century. Visitors spend up to three days exploring the various buildings and admiring the rugged landscape that surrounds them. The best way to explore the site is to hire a driver to take you around in a car or tuk-tuk or rent a bike and cycle around.

    Tuol Sleng, Phnom Penh

    Tuol Sleng is the high school turned extermination camp that was set up by the Khmer Rouge during Pol Pot’s regime. Today, it is a genocide museum that depicts the horrors that occurred under Pol Pot’s rule. While the experience is deeply harrowing, it is a fascinating insight into what happened and an important reminder of how humanity can be completely lost under a dictatorship.

    Koh Rong

    Koh Rong is Cambodia’s most beautiful island and it is exactly what you would expect a tropical paradise island to look like. It’s definately one of the 6 places in Cambodia you shouldn’t miss.Think white powder sand, sparkling turquoise water, and plenty of beach bars where you can quench your thirst (and then some). If you need somewhere to chill out and forget about the outside world for a bit, Koh Rong will do the trick.

    Ka Choung Waterfall, Ratnakiri

    Who doesn’t love waterfalls, am I right? If you can’t get enough of water cascading over rocks, the Ka Choung Waterfall will take your breath away and give you some outstanding photo ops. The journey to the waterfall is an adventure in itself and involves hiking through the jungle. Once you’ve built up a sweat and arrived at the waterfall you can cool off under its refreshing cascade.

    Otres Beach, Sihanoukville

    Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s premier seaside spot and unlike the beach hubs in Thailand, it has retained a lot of its natural beauty. On Otres Beach you’ll find super soft sand, lapped at gently by the Gulf of Thailand, that isn’t covered with garbage and doesn’t have a million other people jostling for space on it. But, that doesn’t mean Sihanoukville is quiet. Beach bars and a fun vibe are staples on and around Otres Beach.

    Botum Sakor National Park

    This national park is one of the largest in Cambodia and boasts an astonishing level of biodiversity. Take a guide along with you to point out the monkeys, birds, and tigers that call this park home. In addition to its wildlife, the vegetation in the park is rich and varied. In just one hour of walking, you could encounter jungle, woodland, mangrove, and evergreen forest.