RSSDec|06|2007
First Class Lounges: Qatar Airways’ Premium Terminal
Posted by Camica as Air Travel, Around The World, Destinations, Luxurious, News, Reviews, Transport
In case you’re planning to fly with Qatar Airways, and assuming you can afford it, buy first-class tickets so you’ll get a chance to check out their Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport. It was rated as one of the best first-class lounges for 2007 by Skytrax, the iindependent airline industry’s monitoring agency. It opened last November 26, 3006, a week before the start of the 15th Asian Games that took place in Doha, Qatar.
The 10,000sqm Premium Terminal was built in just nine months, at a cost of US $90 million, as part of a US $200 million expansion at Doha International Airport. Designed to pamper and delight First and Business Class passengers, the terminal is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s located before the main departures building.
As one of the privileged First Class passengers, you’ll experience the Premium …
Nov|23|2007
First Class Lounges: Thai Airways
Posted by Camica as Air Travel, Around The World, Awards, Destinations, Luxurious, News, Reviews, Transport
In one of my last posts, I wrote about the new trend in luxury travel today: airport first class lounges. I said that I would write more about the different first class lounges and the amenities they offer. As promised, here’s the first of the series.
For my first post about first class lounges, I’m going to start with the one that was voted the best first class lounge for 2007 by Skytrax: the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. This ultimate status symbol of prestige and exclusivity caters primarily to first class passengers of Thai Airways flights or members of the international Star Alliance. It’s located at the Concourse D in Level 3 of the airport, with 1,400 square meters allocated to accommodate 174 first class passengers at one time.
For travelers on business, the …
Aug|09|2007
Toilet Humor
Posted by Camica as Around The World, Reading Room, Reviews, Travelogger
When I was a kid and we went on a trip, whether it was long or short, or even just a trip to the mall, my mom never failed to remind us kids to “Go to the bathroom before we leave!” It was a piece of motherly wisdom that I now impart to my own kids. Unfortunately, my kids seem to have an unhealthy fascination with other toilets, they never fail to scream for the bathroom even if we’re just going around the block. So, like a good general, I learned the Art of Reconnaissance. Planning a trip is never complete without finding out about the area’s restrooms first.
So, imagine my delight when I found out about the book Toilets of the World, by Morna E. Gregory & Sian James. 
This travel book boasts of great pictures and invaluable, …
Jul|28|2007
First Class High
Posted by Camica as Air Travel, Luxurious, Reviews, Transport
If you’ve flown a long-haul flight, then I’m sure you’ve experienced how difficult it is to try to sleep on one. Flying coach, especially, can be an ordeal. The seats are so close together, you’ll consider it a minor victory to grab an armrest, never mind trying to tilt your seat back to get a comfortable position for sleeping. My aunt, whenever she flies with her daughters, just lays a blanket on the floor and makes them sleep there. Flying first class, of course, is way better, but it still depends on the airline and the aircraft.
Well, if you’ve got money to spare, try out Emirates’ new A340-500 First Class cabins. Short of owning your own jet, this airline offers the ultimate in luxury. Their seats are called suites, and they …
May|12|2007
Making Travel Plans Online, Part 1
Posted by Camica as Air Travel, Education, Family, Reviews, Shopping, Tips, Transport, Travelogger, Website
As an online travel agent, I know firsthand how a lot of people have switched from booking with traditional travel agencies, to making their travel plans online with a travel website. Understandable, since there are a lot of advantages to booking online.
First, and probably the most important consideration, is the price. Airline & cruise tickets, hotel & car rates, and even some local activities & services are usually cheaper online than thru your regular travel agent. That’s because online travel agencies usually get special rates due to the large volume of travelers who use their site. They also have a lower ratio of travel agents to customers, since most customers usually book on their own. These are savings they can pass on to their customers.
Another advantage is that most of these sites are very user-friendly. You don’t have to …
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Apr|10|2007
Planning With Online Review Sites
Posted by Zahir as Around The World, Family, Reviews, Website
I’m the type of person who enjoys research before action. So when theres a holiday on the horizon, whether I have a destination planned or not, I head straight to my computer for some serious online research.
Although I’ve heard unsavoury rumours like some (or even most) of the posts are actually paid on these sites – whether for negative or positive, there are few places online where you can (hope to) get “real” reviews from the travellers themselves, and its worth the time surfing – depending on what you’re looking for.
Trip Advisor is my favourite for hotels, and indeed, one can even start the booking process through them, though I havent done this myself. What I usually do is go through their list (where you’ll invariably find that the most expensive ones get the top marks), read their reviews and go from there. …
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Jan|24|2007
Checking Out Taipei 101
Posted by Zahir as Air Travel, Around The World, Arts & Culture, Asia, Cities, Education, Getaways, Historical, Reviews, Tips
Taiwan is a destination that would rarely draw a crowd from people seeking a wide array of tourist attraction spots to ponder on. Taiwan is known for catering more towards electronic devices and gadgets, the high prices that the Taiwanese command for common commodities, is really outrageous for a tourist. Food and clothing are sure to be among the slow moving commodities and it is not really hard to notice why.
With regards to landmarks and wonders, the Taipei 101 is one monument that anyone should consider checking out. Getting its cue from its name, it stands for a 101 floor building, one of the tallest buildings along the country. While it has 101 floors, tourists are only allowed until the 89th floor for viewing. From this level alone, people will surely be at awe.
Getting to …
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Nov|10|2006
Child-Friendly Asia. Part Three
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Family, Getaways, Resorts, Reviews
Indonesia
For families who love the convenience of the all-inclusive holiday, look no further than the Club Med Villages in Bali and Ria Bintan. Known for their “never a dull moment” action-packed holidays which include a wide array of sports and entertainment as well as food and drink, few kids clubs come as well-organized and as varied as Club Med’s, with the Petit Club Med (for two to three-year-olds), Mini Club Med (four to ten-year-olds; workshops range from circus acts to rollerblading) and the Juniors Club Med (for teens from 11 to 17). A fun-filled Family Festival and new Baby Welcome Service for tots under 2 are new additions to the Indonesian Club Med villages, the baby service offering a haven of convenience with priority check-in and ground floor rooms, bottle warmers in restaurants and the main bar, baby cots, tubs, potties or toilet reducers, baby …
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Nov|06|2006
Child-Friendly Asia. Part One
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Family, Luxurious, Resorts, Reviews
As I mentioned in my last post, children in this age of travelling are fast becoming “preferred guests” in the world, and one of the continents where this rings especially true is Asia.
So with the winter holidays fast approaching, a trip to Asia with the children is easier than ever. Think warm sunny skies, and enough kid-friendly activities and amenities so that parents wont be needing a holiday-after-a holiday when they get home. With parent pampering in sync with kid-friendliess, these resorts below will have the entire family having the holiday of their dreams.
Singapore
The Rasa Sentosa Resort in Sentosa island is in the perfect location to explore the island’s amusement-park-like ameneties as well as kick back the Shang’s luxurious surroundings. Kids from 4-12 will love the Kids Club which offers activities and lunch. Toddlers have their own playground with water and sand stations, …
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Oct|05|2006
New York City Wow
Posted by Zahir as Cities, Getaways, Reviews, United States
Ive been in New York City for a couple of days, staying at Staten Island and going across on the ferry. Though Ive lived in cities most of my life, and though Ive visited Chicago, New York has been a treat!
First, riding over on the ferry is a blast. Youre on this boat that can carry over four thousand people. On the top deck standing outside, the wind in your teeth, its like well, its rather cold, really. But exhilarating. Approaching the city watching the skyline grow bigger and realizing that you cant even see buildings like the Empire State Building, that the two Tallest of Them All are gone now, and yet getting that sense of bigness built all the way up to Manhattan Islands edges its like seeing another world. Very nice indeed!
And then you descend down into the steel and …
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