Roaming in Rajasthan

Some places less publicised in India are areas like Jaipur in Rajasthan. This place impressed me partly because of the Old Palace located up in the hills but what really caught my attention was the old open air observatory where the largest sundial in the world is located. You can wander around the observatory and simply wonder about the various instruments. Some tell the time of day, some locate the heavenly bodies but all leave you in awe about this beautiful park.

Rant Time: Heathrow - A case of the terminal airport

Had the pleasure of being told my regular Qatar Airways route into Gatwick has now been cancelled, nice. This is due to the route being Having family in South-East London it's always been much easier using Gatwick than Heathrow and to be honest a lot less stressful. In order to get to Heathrow I've got to trek into Central and out again to Heathrow Airport which already has the reputaion of being one of the busiest airports in the road.

Despite being the second largest airport in the country Gatwick is being treated as the unwanted step-child as airlines throw their might into Heathrow. Personally, I like Gatwick because its a lot easier getting through security without much hassle, especially at the North Terminal which is fairly quiet compared to the South Terminal.

These days when travelling to European destinations from London I try my best to avoid Heathrow as it seems like too much fuss for a maximum of a couple of flights and aim for the smaller airports which are closer by.

There is however the economic argument, Heathrow Airport is too important to the economies of both the UK and many Airlines that use it just to consider throwing that business in Gatwick's direction. As well as passengers' bums on seats on area of income has always been freight which has been a constant money spinner for Heathrow and thus the UK economy even during the recent recession. Its also the airport most people from the business community use which can't be ignored.

So what other options for flying from the Arabian Gulf into Europe? Use another airline or take a deep breath and think of Heathrow. As for Europe, I'll be trying London City Airport for the 1st time this year, I'll let you know how that goes......

Travelling Miles.

Food, Glorious Plane Food or Not

Some people like it, some people hate it but plane food is for many a necessary evil. Depending on how or who you travel plane food can be exceptional or just plane wrong. Personally I've had a varied platter from the passable economy sandwiches in British Airways to the Exquisite delicacies of Etihad in Business.

Perhaps the clue here is the class of travel. In cattle class you get what you're given some would describe as Sh** in a bowl or perhaps that's the after effects you feel after the meal. The only real choice you get in Economy are the special meal options as long as you order in advance with many airlines.

Travel in business and upwards and your experience is a very different experience where you are waited on hand and foot and where the cabin crew can't enough for you with their different teas to choose from. Most airlines spend the majority of the food budgets on the premier classes end of the industry and mass produce the rest.

Let's not run down economy though as some airlines from what I've experienced and heard get it right like Etihad and Emirates or even BA. They're catering is definitely easy on the old stomach a lesson many airlines could learn.

I've been lucky not to have had too bad an experience but one airline I flew recently in coach served its tea in these cheap cups so flimsy when I tasted the tea I was drinking half tea, half polystyrene. Needless to say a crappy cup of tea.

How about your experiences, good and bad?

Miles Travelled...An Update

Since I've been around here and so much has happened.

Well for a start since I last blogged here I travelled to many of those places on my want list. I thought I may have neglected my blog but not my desire to travel.

Been there, done that:

Australia
Lebanon
Iceland
Oman
Japan
India
Cambodia and Thailand (yep, did these two again)
Germany
Italy

Still on my to do list:
South America
China
Taiwan
Southern Africa
Egypt

And the list goes on. It'll take some time but I'm getting there and soon I'll achieve world domination, hahaha....

Travelling Miles 3 - Dealing with the Middle Eastern Way

Living in the Middle East you have to come to terms with many things as a Westerner - slightly less freedoms than we're used to in our own countries. Personally I've come to terms with this and expected this prior to coming to live in Qatar.

When travelling with Middle Eastern companies there are some rules to remember:

1. When checking in to fly always arrive early as travellers who arrive later (even within the check in time) can get bumped off a flight.

2. When travelling long-haul always double check with the agent they have booked your flight after you've paid. Sounds stupid but I recently experienced not having my stopover hotel details confirmed despite having paid for my holdiday several months before.

3. Keep proof of every single purchase connected to your flights and hotels while in the region. Airlines and Hotels in the Gulf have a habit of over subscribing seats and rooms to generate revenue.

4. Do some research read the comments online of people's experience with a particular airline/hotel. You'll have a good idea of which airline not to take. There's a certain Gulf airline I wouldn't travel on long haul after hearing certain people's comments.

5. If there is a fall down on the service you receive. Make your voice heard and try negotiating a settlement. If all else fails formally complain and make sure you have a reference for that complaint.

Good Will Travelling,

Travelling Miles.

Travelling Miles 2 - A letter to British Airways

Dear British Airways,



What's happened to you? You used to be so flexible. How come so many of your routes no longer exist. I wanted to travel from London to Reykjavik this year for a few days only to discover you don't fly to Iceland anymore. Through further research and other people's comments I read you have cut many of their domestic routes in the UK as well, like Aberdeen to Gatwick.



Has the world's favourite airline become the world's least desired. Why did you axe the Gatwick route to Aberdeen and Gatwick to Nice. Quite a few people online appear to be annoyed to say the least. The key word here appears to be Gatwick. Is the old airport no longer in your best affections.



For some of us who live South of the river Gatwick is actually the more convenient airport to travel to and from than Heathrow which is expensive and a mission to get to. I was looking forward to a trip to Iceland as one of those destinations to cross off from my wish list.



Oddly enough some of us find Gatwick less of a hassle especially if you want to fly trans-continental.



What am I to do?



Alexei

Travelling Miles

The Travel Bug Addiction - an Introduction to Travelling Miles

The first step.......

As the title suggests I have developed an addiction far more costly than your average dose of drugs - The Travel bug. In the last year alone I have travelled to the USA twice (admittedly for business), Oman, Australia, New Zealand (albeit too briefly) and back home to London on several occasions. Just to point out I'm based in the Arab Gulf, Qatar to be exact which is dry in more ways than one. However this location as I've discovered is perhaps the most convenient for travelling. Europe is several hours in the North and Western direction. Subcontinental and South East Asia are several hours in The Eastern direction and Africa is literally around the corner.

My motivation for this blog...everyone else appears to be doing it and this first timer has developed a nack for travelling. My hope is to recount some of my travelling experiences and to comment on some travel issues.

My wish list of places to go to:

Lebanon

Iceland

Egypt

South America

Kenya

New Zealand (again)

Japan

India

China

Cambodia (again)

Thailand (again)

To be continued...