Post Highlights: [8/30/2008]
My Interview With Jamie James, Author of The Snake Charmer
Mr. James was kind enough to answer a few questions about the book, his travel experience, and living in Indonesia.
Ever Wonder Why You Get Constipated When Traveling?
It turns out there are 5 main culprits that prevent you from taking shits pooping.
My Travel Plans For Delhi, India
Yesterday I asked for your help in planning my trip to Delhi this week and here’s my list to follow.
Calculate International Cab Fares With World Taximeter
Find out how much it will cost you to get from point A to point B via taxi in major international cities around with World Taximeter.
Calculate International Cab Fares With World Taximeter
Find out how much it will cost you to get from point A to point B via taxi in major international cities around with World Taximeter.
The free online service gives you a break down of the price for 15 North American and European cities. A simple query for a fare from the Chrylser Building to Penn Station shows the 3.14km ride to take about 9 minutes and cost $10.28. World Taximeter estimates the cost not only based on the distance, but the average wait time, any peak hour surcharges, and 15% tip.
Although the search helps you by suggesting famous landmarks, the service is a bit shoddy unless you use specific street addresses. Hopefully World Taximeter will expand its list of cities offered (they are currently taking suggestions).
Knowing how the approximate distance and fare for any cab ride when you travel around the world is the best way to avoid getting ripped off.
Don’t Fall For The Taxi Scams At Indian Airports
August 27, 2008 by Anil P.
Filed under Advice, Car, Security, Travel Journal
It hadn’t been 5 minutes since I cleared customs in Delhi when a young Indian guy asked me if I needed a taxi and lead me to his green and yellow car sitting right outside of the airport. I knew better, but want to see what he was up to. The entire time he was rather talkative, asking questions about where I was from and doing in India – none of which I answered truthfully. Then I asked him how far away the hotel was, “25 kilometers” he replied for 3875 rupees (~$89 dollars).
Of course I didn’t get in, I went over to a prepaid taxi stand, paid 270 rupees ($6.20) for a short 5km trip down the road to my hotel.
I read about such cons at Indian airports before my previous trip to Bangalore, but it’s easy for someone to get taken in the confusing atmosphere outside of the terminal. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to avoid getting ripped off (or worse) with a few simple precautions.
Always Get Your Cab From A Prepaid Taxi Stand - These government-run booths are located toward the exit of the major airports with bold yellow signs. The prices are set by the state and the licensed drivers can be trusted to take you straight to your destination. You will also be provided an official receipt after prepaying.
8 Minute Travel Planning For Non-Planners
The best travel plans are those that take under 10 minutes. The basic steps are to research, organize, and prioritize your travel goals. A rudimentary travel plan is essential, especially for short trips to prevent you from wasting time in hotel rooms.
I posted my travel plans for Delhi yesterday and I’d like to walk you through the steps so you can create basic travel plans, even if you’re not a planner.
Research (3 Minutes)
A simple Google search for ‘places to see in’ or ‘Singapore tourism’ will give you an idea of the biggest tourist draws in the area. The top three search returns should be enough to come up with 3 sites at equidistant points.
- Take the legwork out of researching by posting your questions on social networks (like Facebook), travel blogs, and forums for suggestions on what to do. I’ve found personal recommendations to rarely disappoint.
Planning your trip around the major sites will help you with the next step, prioritizing.
Prioritize (3 Minutes)
Yesterday I categorized my Delhi travel plans into 3 categories.
- “Musts” - The 1,2 or 3 places and things that you simply cannot leave without visiting or doing.
- “Hopefuls” - Time permitting some items you can add to your itinerary. For example, if I have some time after visiting Chandni Chowk, I’l make my way over to the Akshardham Hindu temple.
- “Try if There’s Time” - Anything that could be cool with unexpected time, like if a flight is delayed or your business trip extended.
