Angeltraveler

Banyan Tree Bintan Island Resort

This is my review of the Banyan Tree Bintan Island Resort where we stayed for 3 nights before a cruise from Singapore. We got the Tanah Merah Ferry from Singapore to Bintan Island which takes about an hour. The trip was smooth thank goodness. You pay at Bintan for an Indonesian Visa (some nationalities are exempt) of $10US per person and we were then ready to pick up our bags and to be taken to the resort by the staff who were waiting for us.

When we arrived at the Banyan Tree we were taken into the main building to check in and were given some refreshments while this was being checked in. We had some ginger and lime chilled tea which was so refreshing. We were escorted by buggy to our Valley Villa and it was spectacular even at first sight with an outside spa and lounging deck, four poster bed with mosquito net, window seat and sunken shower/bath with separate vanities.

Every day we were left some fruit delicacy and my favorite was local banana and cinnamon. We tried out The Cove which was an Italian restaurant and was very pleased with the views and the food. We also had dinner at the Saffron and enjoyed that with its lovely ambiance. We had breakfast the first morning at Tree Tops Restaurant but it was a bit expensive so we opted to eat on our deck the rest of the time.

The whole Banyan Tree Resort is a very peaceful place and wherever you want to go you can get a buggy to take you there. The resort is hilly and if you stay in the valley villas you will welcome the ride. We used the pool and the beach area and walked across from there to Ansara Resort which is a sister resort.

My partner had a massage and I had a pedicure while we were there and we loved the attention the professional staff gave us at the Spa. They really look after you there with a time to relax before your treatments with a refreshment and also another afterward. We never felt rushed.

We spent 3 nights here but could have stayed a week.

Liked: Peaceful, beautiful surroundings
Disliked: Breakfast a bit expensive
Tip: Explore every part of the resort and take the buggies

Empire Hotel Kowloon Hong Kong

We stayed at the Empire Hotel after our Allegra Cruise from Singapore and that finished in Hong Kong and we caught a taxi from the Cruise Terminal which isn't very far away but with luggage you need one. This hotel is in the middle of town near all the shopping and we walked from there everywhere which to me was a big plus. It is located at 62 Kimberley Road.

The room was OK although a little on the small side but clean. We were only staying two nights and we didn't have breakfast included or eat at the restaurant so I cant comment on that. We ate most of our meals at Knotsford Terrace which was a short walk away. There were a few good shops I liked in that complex and some good eateries which were reasonably priced.

We also walked down to the harbor and caught the Star Ferry across the harbor which was a nice experience and I would recommend it. Shopping of course is good in Hong Kong and this hotel is walking distance from the main shopping district.

There is an Airport Express stop (free bus that takes you to the train station) across the road from the hotel and I recommend that you use this to get to the airport as you can check your luggage in at the train stop all the way through, so you don't have to check them again at the airport. I loved the train experience and would use it again rather than a taxi or shuttle as I have done before.

This hotel is not 'flash' but if you are looking for a convenient location then this one is quite satisfactory. If you are staying a week then I would look for something a little better. There are a lot of choices in Hong Kong for hotels at different qualities and prices to suit your needs. Just remember to stay near the shopping or the harbor or both because to me that makes Hong Kong so special.

Liked: Convenient location
Disliked: Smallish room
Tip: Take the Airport Express Bus to and from the airport

How to prevent lost airport luggage forever

What are some of the things you can do to prevent lost airport luggage or to make sure it is returned to you?

These are my 8 simple ways to help you keep your luggage:

1. Attach a luggage tag to all your bags. Include your name and address and a cell phone number. Also label other items like cameras and glass cases that you may be carrying too.

2. Put a copy of your itinerary in your main suitcase so your bag can be sent on to your at your next destination if you are traveling around.

3. Notify lost luggage department at the airport as soon as possible.

4. Make sure your flight tags show your final destination. Keep those receipts in a secure location preferably with your boarding forms.

5. Make your bag look distinctive so no one else at the baggage carousel will mistakenly take it as theirs. This is where a short brightly colored scarf or ribbon comes in handy.

6. Make sure your luggage is in good condition and if you are worried about zippers coming apart then use a luggage strap. If your bag comes apart when being loaded or unloaded then you may lose part of the contents or it will be strewn all over the baggage carousel.

7. Also put your name and address on the inside of your suitcase in case the tag are broken off in transit.

8. I also like to list everything that is in my luggage and keep a copy on me in case my bag is lost. I can claim for everything that was in it. Sometimes we forget what we actually packed as we pack and unpack a few times before we leave.

These points sound a lot of things to do to safeguard your baggage, but take it from me, its worth the effort to prevent lost airport luggage.

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Muri Beach Club Hotel Rarotonga

This is a fairly new hotel in Muri Beach, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands which has direct access to the beach and lagoon. It is an adults only hotel (18 years or older). We stayed there in November 2009 and the weather was great around 78F or 26C each day with only one and half days of rain out of the ten.

The garden room that we had was at the back of the resort but as the pool is in the center it was central to it, the main entrance and small shop and only a few more steps to the restaurant. A tropical breakfast was included in the room rate.

The restaurant, called The Point, serves 3 meals a day and bar snacks and of course cocktails (check out the happy hour). They have theme nights like the Grill and Seafood night which we enjoyed. The food overall is a little expensive but you will have to pay similar at other resorts. The meals were all good but can depend on the chef and there is entertainment at dinner times which was nice.

The garden rooms are large and the maid come in twice a day to make up the room and also replace towels and to turn down the bed in the early evening. Each unit has its own small balcony.

They have an internet area where you can log on for free but it is slow to load but OK for emailing home. The staff are friendly and helpful. We had a problem with the safe in the room which was fixed in an hour.

I would recommend this hotel especially if you want a kids free experience. I must admit it was quieter without children splashing in the pool and at meal times. I would definitely stay there again and feel it would be a perfect hotel for a honeymoon.

Liked: An adult experience was very relaxing and quiet
Disliked: Can't think of anything
Tip: Hire a car or bike to get around the island

You need a travel pillow

When I travel by air or train it is usually a longer trip than a few hours so I take my own travel pillow. I live in Australia so a trip by plane to Singapore for me for instance takes 8 hours and to Los Angeles it is around 12 hours so comfort is very important so that I arrive not too stressed or overtired.

These are long trips and it gets quite uncomfortable and difficult to sleep without a good travel pillow. The airline travel pillows are only just better than having none at all. I'm not a good sleeper anytime unless I am in my own bed so getting a sleep aid like a comfy pillow for traveling is a great benefit to me. If I cant get at least a couple of hours sleep on a long journey then I feel like a zombie when I arrive.

There are a lot of travel pillows out there now including ones made from memory foam, filled with buckwheat or are light and inflatable. You can use them also as a foot rest if you need to to relieve the pressure on your legs. The best one for you is entirely a personal matter so you may have to buy more than one before you get the RIGHT travel pillow for you but choose one with good neck support. Most will fold up and will fit in your suitcase or travel bag without taking up too much room.

Traveling is meant to be fun so take that travel pillow so you can arrive ready to explore and not ready to collapse.

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Foreign Currency Conversion for Travelers

When traveling overseas it is a good idea to carry some local currency for taxis, telephone calls, tipping etc for when you arrive at the airport as often flights arrive at night with very limited facilities open. I prefer to get this foreign currency at home, before I leave, well a certain amount anyway, usually to last me a couple of days, but most international airports will have a currency exchange facilities there on the spot. This wont be much use to you though if they are not open when you arrive so if you are going get currency at the airport check the opening and closing times.

I know it was easier for me to get Chinese Yuen at the airport than trying to get it back home before I left. Other popular currencies are easier to obtain in your own country but sometimes you can getter better rates as well when you arrive at your destination than in transit. Check it out well in advance as it may cost you more from your travel budget than you had planned. I must admit though that I like to be prepared so usually I get foreign currency at the airport or from a bank or agency before I leave.

You may also like to estimate how much foreign currency you will get for your own money so you can make sure your budget is on track before you go. You can try the Currency Converter below to do a rough check. Currency rates change from day to day, and from buying and selling, but this will give you a good idea and I suggest you check again before you leave home for your travels.

Hilton Long Beach and Executive Meeting Center

We stayed two nights at the Hilton Long Beach and Executive Meeting Center located at 701 W Ocean Boulevarde before our cruise out of the Port of Long Beach. We got a shuttle from the airport to the hotel and a taxi to the port which is close by.

The room was nice and overlooked the pool, roomy enough for two and we paid a good price of under $100 per night. Have a look at the deals and Compare Data From 100s Of Travel Sites At Once. Search One And Done.

There are not a lot of restaurants nearby although we did have dinner one night at the Daily Grill which was just on the outside of the hotel and we did enjoy that. We did not have breakfasts at the hotel at all so I can’t comment. The hotel has a nice Lobby Bar on the ground floor and which has lovely comfy chairs for a quiet drink after sightseeing all day.

I don’t think I would want to stay in Long Beach more than a few days as there were only limited things to see and do compared with Los Angeles. This is my opinion as a international visitor though. There were a lot of banks on that part of the street so the hotel probably caters to business clientele during the week more than tourists.

Overall we had a good experience here but it probably would be better to choose a hotel closer to the main attractions of the Pike, Shoreline Village, Market Place and the Marina especially if you were only staying the night before a cruise. The free passport buses though make it easy to get around as they even go to the Port of Long Beach and the RMS Queen Mary and stop outside the hotel. You can walk to the pike though from the hotel. We did this and caught the bus back.

Note: The hotel has been renovated since we stayed and so I have not included an image of the room as hey have changed.

Liked: Nice room
Disliked: It was a bit out of the way for restaurants
Tip: Have dinners at The Pike

Are you cruising for love?

My Singles Cruise group

Cruising is a good holiday for singles and solo travelers. You have an opportunity to meet people at on-board activities and when dining. People are usually in party mode and looking to have a good time so are more friendly than they may normally be.

There are many singles cruises usually comprising of groups of people, organized by single cruise travel groups, which are on regular cruises. This may fit for what you are looking for as a solo traveler as you have company for activities and sometimes you might meet someone special. Many companies have cruises are aimed at different age groups and are now sailing from many ports.

The most popular singles cruises would be for the destination of the Caribbean and I have been on one myself and it was for the Western Caribbean and I have also been on a cruise with a group of solo travelers to Alaska. It is up to you how much or how little time you spend with the group, but these cruises usually have a coordinator who will arrange activities for you as well as the ship's ones you can participate in if you want.

There are many companies now online who offer cruises for solo travelers. The price of the cruises are reasonable and you get the opportunity to share a cabin so you don't have to pay the single supplement. Not everyone is cruising for love but many are so it is an opportunity to meet people who are also singles.

For me, the benefit of a singles cruise was that I never felt alone and there was always something to do in the group and I had company for dinner as well. My favorite activity being the dance lessons. I also made friends with a few people and have continued to have contact after the cruise.

Who knows who will be on your next cruise? You may even meet your perfect love match or a friend for life.

Finally revealing my perfect travel handbag

While planning a trip to France I was looking for a new travel handbag as the one I used on the previous trip was too big, and the one from before was too small, and it was then that I came across the perfect one for me. Security features were my main priority with so many reports of bag snatching in Europe.

The travel handbag I chose has slash proof panels on the bottom and the front. The best feature though is that it has separate compartments for the digital camera with a Velcro strap to secure it, another for my cell phone, and a separate outside side pocket for an umbrella and water bottle as well as other zippered compartments. I also like the feature of a clip that can secure the main zipper.

The other ‘must have’ for that trip was to take one handbag that would go from day use, traveling around all day, to be smart enough to take it out with me in the evening. This travel handbag also fulfilled that need. I chose a dark color (dark taupe) so that it coordinated with my outfits but there are 4 colors available. The lining on that one is blue so that I can see more easily what I am looking for in the bag.

my travel handbag

What was it? Well it is a handbag from Pacsafe. Have a look at it yourself at the link below from Magellan's which have a great range.

Pacsafe Citysafe 200 Shoulder Bag

This is the best travel handbag I have every traveled with and so I took it on subsequent trips to Asia and New Zealand and I am still using it since I came home as it is a good size for all the extra stuff I carry on a day to basis as well. If you need a smaller version they have the Citysafe Handbag or the larger Totesafe so you should find one that is right for you.

This is my own experience with choosing the perfect travel handbag, but remember the points I mentioned in my last post and I am sure you will find one just perfect for your travel needs and just think of it as the best travel insurance you can have.

Choosing the perfect travel handbag

Over the last few years while I have been traveling both locally and internationally I have tried out many travel handbags but only in the last year have I discovered what I have been looking for from the start. Yes I must be a slow learner. There was always something that wasn't quite right and I never really was happy with any of them. I think I learn best by experience. I have found the perfect handbag and I will share with you my method for choosing one.

What I need in a travel handbag are the following:

Security features- anti theft features such as an anti slash strap or at least one that was strong

The right size - big enough to carry what I needed for the day including a small digital camera and an umbrella or water bottle without being too bulky

Separate inner compartments for a small wallet, room key/card, lipstick, tissues, digital camera and cell phone etc

Adjustable shoulder strap - to expand to be worn across the body during the day and can shorten again for evening to be worn over the shoulder. Also the strap should be wide enough for comfort so that it doesn’t dig into your shoulder after a long day exploring

Serviceable color - black, navy or dark brown in colour to go with everything, to look good enough to take out of an evening and wont show a mark or two