October 23, 2017: A new budget airline is set to take off in December — SCOOT (fine name) will start service from Osaka and Singapore to Hawaii. The airline — flying 787 Dreamliner’s and A320 aircraft — really isn’t all new as it is a combination of the new Scoot brand with the old Tigerair group headquartered in Singapore — Tigerair already serves numerous destinations in Asia. The new web site: www.flyscoot.com is a bit funky — and Scoot employees are referred to as SCOOTEES — yes, this is all for real! Scoot and Scootees might be headed for the US?
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Like Mushrooms?
October 20, 2017: Check out the November mushroom wine and beer festival in the Mendocino area of Northern California. Sign up for mushroom hunts (don’t try it on your own), mushroom cooking classes, learn how to brew mushroom tea and don’t miss the ever popular mushroom beer festival. And if you’re really into mushrooms and want a real treat, look for the handmade mushroom ice cream featuring “candy cap mushrooms” — What a digestive experience?
Onboard Travel Snacks Take Flight
October 16, 2017: Here’s a few ideas for onboard flight snacking:
- Thin protein bars are always good
- Twizzlers licorice — watch out you might have to share
- Crackers with Laughing Cow cheese wedges
- Fresh fruit —beware somewhat iffy on international flights
- Flavored water packets add a nice taste to flight attendant served water
- And the TC’s all time favorite — find some PB2 powdered peanut butter from Bell Plantation — add some water and you have peanut better paste good enough for a sandwich. If your more adventurous treat yourself to the PB2 combo peanut butter and chocolate flavor — almost as good as Nutella. Bring enough to share or sell.
Aloha Southwest
October 13, 2017: Southwest has finally announced they will serve Hawaii — planned to start in 2018 from California. They are being somewhat “coy” and not announcing any departure or destination points — either they don’t have that worked out as yet or keeping it under the wing for competitive reasons? Maybe a $39 introductory fare each way? And hopefully more than peanuts on the nearly five hour flight!
High Speed Trains in the French Countryside
October 11, 2017: France has initiated high speed train services through the popular French Countryside — travel between Paris and Bordeaux in about two hours and about the same for travel between Paris and Rennes. Over 30,000 seats a day are available. Seems wrong though to be in a hurry when traveling the beautiful French countryside!!!
TSA Running Out of Bomb Sniffing Dogs
October 6, 2017: Bomb sniffing dogs, many now costing more than $25,000 each, are more popular than ever — and in very short supply. Technological advances in explosive detection still can’t match the trained bomb sniffing dogs sensitive and discerning nose. TSA now has more than 1,000 dogs working airports, train stations and other high traffic locations — and needs to acquire 300-500 yearly to replace the dogs that age out between 8-10 years. Currently, the best places to find explosive sniffers is Germany, the Netherlands, and Eastern Block countries. Only one out of two dogs makes the final cut — and many of the final candidates don’t make the team!
Brew Your Own Perfect Cup of Java
October 4, 2017: Yup — with the new MUGMATE coffee-tea filter set up. It weighs only one ounce, does away with the need for paper filters and easy to use — just add your own favorite ground coffee and hot water. Available for $16.95 — great for campers or if you’re tired of bad airline inflight coffee, why not brew your own!!!
Looking to Dig Up New Adventure Travel?
October 2, 2017: How about Dinosaur Digs? Head for the North Dakota Bad Lands — and look to join a small group of Dino diggers — bone dry lakes and rivers, along with some very rough terrain, host these groups. Recent finds include a mummified duck-billed dinosaur, hornless rino and fossilized tortoise. For more information, check with local North Dakota chambers or the North Dakota Geological Survey. You might really “dig” this adventure?
Bud and Breakfast Lodging Anyone?
September 29, 2017: Yup — this new fad is trending (albeit somewhat “off the map”) in northern California, Oregon and Washington. Lodging is usually in a small tree house set deep in cannabis growing country — with no running water or electricity — and rates ranging from $125-$300 a night. Guests can partake legally with locally grown weed and don’t need to hide in the bathroom. AirBbB might be the place to start? Watch out for hidden fees that can add more than $100 per night for the stay.
Hilton and Marriott Make it Harder — and Expensive — To Cancel Reservations
September 25, 2017: Two of the world’s largest hotel chains, HILTON and MARRIOTT, are implementing a 48 hour cancelation policy — or you pay for one nights stay. This is up from the current 24 hour cancelation policy — they say this is to crack down on travelers who wait until the last minute to cancel. Initially the policy will be for both chains properties in the US and Canada, but watch for them to roll the program into other locations. I guess when business is good, big chains can be somewhat more greedy!!! Not sure why we call this the “hospitality” business?
