MR Travel Thread

[~Shard~]

~Shard~ I agree with you, but there is one reason to be among the first to board and that is if you have cabin baggage that you want to go in the over head compartments. If you're unlucky your baggage will have to be stored somewhere that's not near your seat because all the space has been occupied.

Agreed. I always just have 1 carry-on, and store it under the seat in front of me... but yes, that is a fair enough reason.

 

[frankblundt]

Dress "normally"

If you don't want to stick out as a tourist (and be treated as such), don't advertise yourself by wearing matching shell suits, fannypacks/bumbags, or GoreTex mountain climbing gear while wandering around the city.

Unless you're in a country where it's bleeding obvious, in which case don't do the costume party thing either.

Try and meet locals at locations where they're less likely to be eyeing you for a scam - a regular pub, tea house or café, off the main tourist strip - and talk to them. It's not easy but it's frequently the best way to really "see" the place (and taste it). Most people (nearly all in fact) are friendly, helpful and generous if you give them a chance.

I found William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" particularly inspirational in this regard.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Travel Alert - International - Heathrow

If travelling through Terminal 4 (long distance flights from Heathrow airport), be wary they have been using the new security cameras which have the ability to see through clothes, but not through skin.

The potential health risks are still a tad worrying though.

Shades of Total Recall (IIRC)!

Wanted to remind travlers through Terminal 4 of this

Note - due to work on extending the Piccadilly line, there is no underground service to Terminal 4 until September 2006. Passengers travelling to and from Terminal 4 can use the replacement bus service between Hatton Cross underground station and Terminal 4.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=a7ce023becc62010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&ChID=a2d990d870962010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&Ch=Underground&ChPath=Home%5ELHR%5ETo+and+from+our+Airport%5EBy+Train+or+Bus%5EUnderground&ChIDPath=caf397dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^bde597dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^2f2797dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^b92990d870962010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^a2d990d870962010VgnVCM100000147e120a____

One of the reasons I am lucky that I am coming and going through Terminal 2 on Iceland Air.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Travel tip - bags

that walk is reason enough to keep carry-ons small and light. i've also found that w/ some speedy walking, it's possible to pass up nearly everyone else on your plane and greatly reduce the time needed to clear immigration.

Definitely a reason to pack light.

But keep in mind on your return to give yourself more time on connections to your home. As a I mentioned in my carry on I have a collapsed duffle that will become my carry-on with any treasures bought in my travels.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Travel tip - bags - packing

Also bring along a empty mailing tube. For the art lover among us, a great way of bringing back memories and small brick-brack.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Travel tip - Warning -Carry-ons and Icelandair

Be warned that coach passengers departing from the US will have their carry-on bags weighed; and the limit is 6 kilos (about 13#'s).

Coming back no issues.

 

[sarae]

Oh, and do not put your contact lens solution or your contact lenses themselves under the plane - the extreme cold can essentially "damage" them, and I wouldn't want "tainted" solution or wrecked lenses sitting on my eyeballs for the rest of the trip. Take them with you in your daypack/carry-on on the plane.

This is a really helpful tip that I've never really heard before. I'm leaving tomorrow for a trip to the Ukraine, and I decided to read this thread which I'd seen awhile back for some last-minute packing tips. Think I'll move my extra pair of contacts into my carry on, now.

 

[~Shard~]

This is a really helpful tip that I've never really heard before. I'm leaving tomorrow for a trip to the Ukraine, and I decided to read this thread which I'd seen awhile back for some last-minute packing tips. Think I'll move my extra pair of contacts into my carry on, now.

No problem, glad my tip was of some help to you. Enjoy your trip and let us know how it goes!

 

[sushi]

Bring a pillow case: If you go somewhere where you don't have a pillow, stuff your pillowcase with dirty clothes and make your own pillow!
If you go to a place where they might give you a dirty pillow case, you may get an eye infection if you ever sleep face down. That eye infection is VERY difficult to get rid of, and sometimes you might actually need a minor surgery if you don't get it treated.

I carry a small blowup pillow. Its lightweight and the case is removable so it is easy to wash. Can serve as a small chair and of course pillow. It has two bladders so if you need to prop up a leg it is easy to use it as the leg will stay centered.

 

[sushi]

Great tips, I always travel with these as well. Trust me, ear plugs are a life saver when you need to sleep on a 17-hour flight from Vancouver to Singapore and there's a crying baby on board. And that's just one example.

I have a pair of these that work nicely.

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Sony_MDR-NC11A_Noise-Canceling_Earphones.html

They are a must for long flights.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Travel tip - Comfort

I carry a small blowup pillow. Its lightweight and the case is removable so it is easy to wash. Can serve as a small chair and of course pillow. It has two bladders so if you need to prop up a leg it is easy to use it as the leg will stay centered.

Not sure if you are talking about one of these:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=257&PRODID=10012722

I love mine. With my Sennheiser PXC 150's:

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/500369?Open&print=

And something like this:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=257&PRODID=59759
{BTW, which are great in catching a quick nap in bright waiting areas and brighter than what one is used to hotel rooms}

I have been able to finally sleep on an airplane!