2014

 Hurry! hurry! book your dream vacation with your free miles before February 1, 2014. It will take a lot more miles to redeem for a free ticket after that. For instance, 65,000 miles would fly you from United States to South Asia on economy, but comes February 1, you will need 80,000 miles to fly. Ouch! 

This change would affect most business and first class travelers as the miles redemption would increase anywhere between 20 to 50% while some could be as high as 80%. I have been a United MileagePlus member for more than 15 years, and I have more than 265,000 miles at my disposal today. As 2013 is drawing to a close, I am writing this while researching what would be the best destination to use my miles for 2014. Right now, South Asia seems to be the best bet if I take the miles increment in consideration. 

Brazil, Cuba, and South Africa are among the tops on the lists of Lonely Planet, CNN Traveler and Fodor's Travel.  I would love to visit Brazil but I think the country is overpriced and overhyped now and beyond because of the upcoming World Cup and the Olympics in three years time. Cuba sounds very exciting but the thought of flying from a different country (United States is still banning its citizens of flying directly to Cuba) in order to get there turns me off for now. South Africa sounds exotic and I can travel to other nearby countries like Botswana and Namibia. That would be my birthday present for next year! 

Effective March 30, 2014, US Airways partnership with MileagePlus will ends. Instead, the airline will join OneWorld after its merge with American Airlines completes. We have to do a little more homework on our next trip. The super-sized airlines notably United, Delta and coming new American will eventually leave us a lot less room to maneuver as we will have less choices, and eventually even paying higher prices. There will also be new and higher fees in 2014. Fee for selection of seat, fee for over-sized baggage, fee the extra legroom, early boarding and list goes on. The airlines are getting smarter to maximize their revenue as they will be renting Apple iPads preloaded with movies, and selling first class meals in coach. 

We are smart travelers, and we are adaptable to whatever changes and conditions the airlines have imposed on us this coming New Year. Africa here I come.

Christmas at the Baltic States

Christmas tree lights up in Town Hall Vilnius. However, the Christmas market 

is only open on weekends. Weather averaging in the low 30s' so far.

This is one of the few Christmas markets located at Doms Square. It is pretty

with the Dome Cathedral as a back-drop. Weather averaging in the 20s' to

low 30s' range but the wind is pretty strong.

In Tallinn, the main Christmas attraction lies in Town Hall Square.

Of the three, this is the best as it captures the lights and sounds of the

Christmas Holiday Spirits. Temperature is about the same as

Riga but wind is much stronger here. 

Shocking truths

Recently, there was a wind of change in my professional life which has prompted me to alter my future goals. My first notion was to take this as an opportunity to get into the travel industry. I had three interviews (so far), and they were shocking. Today, I would like to share my thoughts in travel with you in a different way.

According to recent survey, the travel and tourism industry in the United States generated nearly $1.4 trillion to the country's economy with one out of every 18 Americans work, either directly or indirectly in the industry. In my opinion, the industry plays a major role in the growth of any country in the world today. 

My first encounter was with a brick and mortar travel agency expanding its online presence for the future Chinese market. 

Situated at Lexington Avenue, a prime real estate location in Manhattan, it occupies almost the entire floor in the building.  It has a huge reception, although it feels kind of unwelcome. As I walked to the room for my interview, I passed through a huge area filled with tiny cubicles with heads of people looking at their screens. Empty chairs and empty tables which made me wondered if the company is expanding or shrinking.  Plain walls with bland colors throughout gave me the impression that the motto of the work place is probably "me-myself-and-computer" kind of situation.

I had a brief interview with the person who heads the travel agency. "We are expanding to the Chinese market very soon. The system is very easy to learn, and you can probably learn that in a day" she said. I had looked into the website the day before; the company targets mainly to Europe and the US, and to say the very least the intention to focus to China is too little too late.

Next, I went to a job interview with a catering company for the airlines. It is an international company, with hotels, restaurants in Europe and US.  The company sounds really good, and I thought perhaps there is a chance for a new person to grow professionally. But the interviewer said," You are paid $10 an hour, and after probation you get $10.50, and it can go up to $11 max. If you want to get more, probably it will be the supervisor position but it will take years."  

In the right frame of mind, why would anyone wait for a few years for a promotion and a pay raise. This is New York, and this is 2013, and big company like this  still pays $10 an hour? The title of the position is food checker; meaning the person in charge has to be detail-oriented and alert on food handling before the trays go out to the plane. It is pretty obvious the account is worth millions of dollars. And yet, chump change is pass on to its employees.

JFK International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. I applied for a position as a customer service agent at the airport. Customer service agents are the ones you'll encounter either in departure hall or arrival hall directing you to the right counter, or floor or any other questions you may have. In my opinion, these agents play an integral part of the security system at the airport. Sadly, the company does not see it that way. Person who interviewed me asked if I'm capable to perform the tasks required, and I responded "Yes". I might have sounded too eager for the job. After the interview, it seemed the criteria is to hire someone with an IQ of 80 and below cause the main job is to stand in one place for 4 to 5 hours. The pay is $9 an hour. Again, I like to stress that contract being awarded to the company at the airport is worth millions. So the next time you see the customer service agents at the airport, stop and give them a hug. I think these agents deserve more.

These are some of the experiences I had the last couple of months. Countries from around the world depend on tourism to boost their economies. It is just so unfortunate that the people who actually contributed so much to the industry are being rewarded nothing more than just a pat in the back. Common guys, it is time to boost their wages!

Public buses in Yangon

A singing bus conductor? This is a scene where the conductor shouts out to customers to let them know the route the bus is going. It is a very common sight in cities around Asia, however, it is a very uncommon sight through the eyes of a foreigner like Jack.

One hot summer day in Bago Myanmar

Here they are! The nuns of Myanmar! I was at Bago when I caught a group of nuns resting

under a tree on a hot summer day. I asked if I could take a few pictures; some obliged while others hid their faces behind the umbrellas. 

Asean Tigers

This is my longest vacation so far - six weeks in Asia covering Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and Yangon. The trip gives me the chance to taste the good and the bad from an emerging city such as Yangon to a developed city state like Singapore. 

I travel to Kuala Lumpur every year, and each time I notice new condominiums, houses and shopping malls invading every last piece of land in and around the city. Beautiful old structures, and houses are slowly disappearing which is pretty sad.The government has been trying to improve the public transportation system in the city for years, but with more cars and less space, flyovers and overhead train systems have overtaken the once beautiful city I used to call home. Publics buses are dreadful and taxis are aggravating as I recall it took me nearly 5 hours to get home from the LCCT airport because of traffic and 'I-am-the-law' attitude of many taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur!

My Malaysian Chinese friends are speaking out about the displeasure the current government is running the city and the country. Things are all bright and sunny in the media, but gloomy when you speak with people over cocktails. 

Kuala Lumpur has really nothing special to offer in tourism although there are the Bird Park, KLCC, Central Market, and the Islamic Museum. 

I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Palace with a friend. We thought it would be interesting as it just opened to the public recently. However, it turned out to be dreadful. No picture taking is allowed as we entered the palace. Visitors are blinded with lavish layers of fabric used as curtains from top of the ceiling to the floor. Unfortunately, it is ugly and distasteful done. As yellow is the royal color, visitors are overpowered with the color from room to room, not to mention the sparsely arranged furnitures. Being one of the most visited cities in the world, Kuala Lumpur is slowly lagging behind other places in the country like Malacca, Penang, and Borneo. I hope the coming election would make an impact on the people running the country, but until then the government needs to put a stop on giving permits out to build more commercial and residential buildings, and rethink their plan to improve the public transportation systems.

Singapore is slowly turning into a avant garde society. As the bus I was traveling eased through the traffic to its final destination at Singapore Ferry Terminal, I could see that the city's skyline has changed dramatically. Its Botanical Garden reminded me of a scene taken out from the Avatar movie. Not to be overshadowed, the Marina Bay Sands and Resort World casinos famed hotels' design is inspired by card decks with the infamous infinity pool at the very top. Besides the lovely skyline, public transportation in Singapore impressed me the most. It is so efficient and smooth that it makes going from point A to point B so easy. I did not spend much time in Singapore, but I did go to Orchard Road which is famous for its miles of shopping malls and designer stores. In Chinatown, vendors have their merchandise arranged in individual tents and this makes shopping so much fun. I love Singapore. What it lacks in terms of natural beauty, it is making it up with beautiful  buildings, structures, and other forms of entertainments.

The third Asean city I visited is Hong Kong. A visit to Hong Kong is like going to Times Square New York but a hundred times bigger. The protruding flashy signboards, people selling anything from Rolex watches, suits and new condominiums along Nathan Road near Peninsula Hotel are the sign of times. The subway systems linked endless blocks of retail stores underground. Buildings are generally old, vertical and monotone probably due to the lack of space in a densely populated area of a little over 400 sq miles. Although it is small, Hong Kong is packed with activities with its world class museums, entertainments, and not forgetting streets with names like Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Goldfish Street, Flower Market, Ladies Market and the list goes on.

This is my fourth time visiting Hong Kong. I chose to see other sights of Hong Kong that I have not seen before rather than visiting its tourists' attractions. I and my friend, Jack stayed at Chung King Mansion where hostels are plenty. This area is full of activities where strangers would offer anything at bargain prices. The hostel is a stone throw away from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, where Avenue of the Stars is located. Here, stars like the late Anita Mui, known as Madonna of the East, Sammo Hung, and Jackie Chan are honored. There is also a bronze statue of Bruce Lee. 

The Star Ferry is a classic way to get to Hong Kong from Kowloon. The ferries are more than one 100 years old operate along Victoria Harbor, and the trip takes about 15 minutes. The trip offers the best view of Hong Kong's skyline on any given day. The Central Mid-Levels Hillside Escalator is another interesting outdoor activity. The escalator takes you all the way up along Soho and nearby Lan Kwai Fong. Once you are up there, you can walk down and venture into the city's alleys and other hidden treasure troves. Hong Kong has a lot to offer to people of all ages. There are the Sea World, Disneyland, Ocean Park for the young and old, Lantau Island for the adventurous type, and Macau for the hopeful thinking of some quick cash. This Special Administrative Region is full of vibes with punches that would put you on a roller-coaster ride of fantasy and adventure.

Myanmar opened its doors to visitors recently, and it is attracting them like bees to honey. I was told to detour to other places like Mandalay, Bagan or Inle Lake when in Yangon. Unfortunately, my friends and I had second thoughts doing so the moment we thought of enduring 14 hours on either bus or train ride to any of those places. March is still the hot season, and it is not comfortable at all if you spend too much time outdoor. In addition, air-conditioner is a luxury not a necessity in Yangon. 

The stunning Shwedagon Pagoda is the centerpiece of the city with a gleaming golden stupa measuring almost 100 meters in height. At sunset, the stupa reflects the rays that shine on it with golden hues. There are constant swirl of activities surrounding the stupa as worshippers performing rituals around deities and shrines, while tourists keep snapping pictures for their photo albums.

Bogyoke Aung San Market is another interesting place which sells a wide range of Burmese handicrafts, from woodcarvings, lacquerware to jade and gems. If you are interested to have a dress or curtain made, you can select the fabrics and the seamstress will do that for you right there. The Bogyoke Market is very close to the Indian quarter. Everyday at 4 pm streets are occupied with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, bottled concoctions and snacks to the aroma of curry powder and other herbs and spices. 

Sule Pagoda is a good starting point for any first time traveler to the city as it is situated in the heart of downtown Yangon. The pagoda is surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants, and swirling traffic. In Yangon, one can't help but notice big container of distilled water in major public places to quench one's thirst on a hot day. The locals drink from cups which are attached to the container with strings but foreigners are not encouraged to do so. "No drink. Not good for you", said a local. I guessed foreigners do not have the kind of resistance the locals have in their immune systems. The Circular Railway is a local commuter rail network that serves Yangon metropolitan area. It's a 29-mile loop system that connects to towns and suburbs to the city with 39 stops. The ride around the loop takes about 4 hours. If you are interested to have a little taste of local life in Yangon, this is highly recommended but take the ride early in the morning as the train can be very hot.

Asia does provide diversity in culture, food and religion. Although there are some drawbacks in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Yangon, on the whole Asia does give a certain flavor which you will never find anywhere else in the world.

I might visit Myanmar again as I have yet to explore Mandalay and Bagan. I missed Macau while in Hong Kong but I will go back. I promised myself I should stay longer in Singapore on my next trip and I will definitely explore other places in Malaysia besides Kuala Lumpur next time. 

Dessert for the coming summer

Cendol is a common dessert in South East Asia. The ingredients are coconut milk, green jelly noodles (derived from pandan leaf), shaved ice and brown sugar. Delicious!

What lies ahead in 2013?

Another year is coming to a close yet again. 

I visited Lisbon recently with a friend. It was one of my most enjoyable trips. First, I flew in to Zurich from New York to visit Kelvin, a friend of mine for more than 25 years. He had a cancerous tumor in his nose, and he was going through treatment at that time. Ulcers were multiplying like wild mushrooms in his mouth. Seeing him enduring the pain, I thought how much we should all appreciate those precious seconds we all had that moment in time. 

We went to Club T&M, Zurich's first gay disco with live shows, celebrating 25 years in business. It was announced that the club would be closing at the beginning of 2013. "I used to perform there as a guest." Kelvin said. I joked that with all the pounds he lost, he should be able to fit into his old gown, and performed there for one last time. On my last day in Zurich, I met with Bruno, another friend I came to know 15 years ago. He took me to Peclard Zurich, a boutique cafe famous for its delicious looking pastries that feast the eyes. The atmospheric Christmas lights, and the seasonal Holiday Markets certainly lift the spirits up during the Holiday Seasons. I felt lucky to be in the company of good old friends in Zurich.

Now back to Lisbon. Whether I and my friend, Bebe, were in our room, or in a restaurant we were talking about the reality of aging - greying hair, losing stamina, eyesight, memory and the list goes on. Pretty scary feeling but we just kept laughing and teasing at each other while contemplating the things we were able to do before. "Portugal has no money, this country is bankrupt." said our tour guide in frustration. And, suddenly getting old in this modern day era tells us how lucky we are coming from the generation known as X. We've gone through the disco era, the fall of the Soviet Union, the reunification of Germany, the formation of the EU membership, and the rise and fall of the Asian Tigers, not forgetting the internet boom and the housing bust. All these events had either given birth to new countries while freed others, and they had made travel to those affected countries so much easier than ever before.

I visited Ukraine and Romania last year. I never thought I would be in Bosnia or Panama when I was young. But I did. 

Myanmar is slowly opening up its door to the world. Since the dismantling of the military's role in government and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2011, the country is seeing a huge jump in the number of tourists to the country. You can add me to the tourism statistics for 2013 as I am going to Yangon with two other friends. As I grow older, I am planning to visit countries that are not tourist friendly such as Mongolia and Bolivia as opposed to France and Denmark. Places I would like to go in 2013 besides Myanmar are Hong Kong, Ecuador, and the Baltic states. I am hoping  visit Belgium with a friend to immerse myself into the Holiday Spirits in December. 

 Kelvin is slowly recovering now in Zurich. I promised to see Bruno soon, and I told Bebe we would have to plan another trip again. Time comes and goes just like people we met throughout our lifetime. But for now, I am planning to seize the moment, and treasure them for as long as I live.

A 14-hour layover

I like to watch Anthony Bourdain's programs on the Travel Channel. The Layover is interesting as it is a 48 hour non-stop eating program to fill one's appetite. 

Here I was in Amsterdam's Grand Central Station in a 14-hour layover at 7 pm before my flight back to New York the next day at 9 am. While snapping pictures in the station, I was wondering if I could match Anthony's quest for good food, good company, and sightseeings along the way. 

Weather was uncooperative that day. It was rainy, windy and cold. Sky was already dark when I stepped out of the station. I could see that construction was being done in and out of the main entrance. As I ventured further, I saw hundreds of bicycles parked on designated parking areas. I had never seen so many bikes before.

I walked past canal after canal and suddenly I was at Nine Streets. 

Nine Streets are famous for the quirky stores, chic boutiques, intimate cafes and restaurants as well as other specialty shops to serve the MTV generation. Most of the stores are run by local proprietors, so do not expect to see Zara or H & M here. With the clock ticking away, and my stomach growling for food, I began my quest for my first meal in Amsterdam. Not knowing where and what I would like to eat, I stumble into a place which looked pretty cool. The menu was pretty huge. I began to feel skeptical, and decided to order a soup first. It was one of the worst meals I had ever tasted. The soup tasted like a package from an instant noodle soup based in hot water with a few tiny shrimps, mussels and scallops. I was 6.50 Euro lighter when I left the restaurant!

The centuries old buildings along the canals have huge windows. I could see from outside, and judging from what I saw I could tell most are artists, sculptures, or designers by professions. As I walked, I came across galleries, and antique shops. With the cold wind blowing, I had to look for the bathroom. Finally, decided to call it a night. I found a place to sleep for the night, and left the city at 5 am the next day.

Did I match Anthony Bourdain feat? Probably not, but he has 48 hours with help from his producers. As for me, I had less than 14 hours and a city map. Call me a sore loser! 

But for my next layover, I will do a lot better as I wait for my flight back to New York.