May 2012 Trip - UK, Switzerland, Germany and Austria

Switzerland

Luzern 

Interlaken 

Spiez 

Bern - A lovely old city

Emmentaler-Schaukaeserei cheese factory @ Schweiz, Switzerland

Zurich - Love it, a very lovely metro. Extremely developed (light rail runs the whole city!) The river water is clear and you can see the bottom!! 

FIFA HQ @ Zurich

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Germany

Schloss Hohenschwangau (Castle) @ Schwangau

Schloss Neuschwanstein (Castle) 

Leaving Schwangau, on the way to Munich

Munich

Marienplatz @ Munich

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Austria 

Schloss Fuschl, Hof bei Salzburg (a castle that was owned by royal, aristocratic, business owner, and entertainer. Now a hotel)

Salzburg - on our way up to Festung Hohensalzburg, we passed by Nonnberg Abbey, where Maria von Trapp was a postulant

Festung Hohensalzburg (fortress) - the structure was grand and magnificent

Festung Hohensalzberg is visible from almost everywhere in Salzburg

View of Salzburg from Festung Hohensalzberg

Mozart's Birthplace

Linz

Vienna

Johann Strauss Monument @ Stadtpark

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United Kingdom

Stonehenge, Salisbury 

Roman Bath, Bath - When the Romans ruled the place for a short time, they discover natural hot springs so they built a place on top of it for bathing

Tower Bridge

More London Places Riverside 

What to Pack - How to efficiently pack for every travel

When I do my bi-weekly travels (commute), I really don't need to pack much because I have what I need in my fiance's or parents' place. But to be safe, I always pack some extra clothes just in case I need them.

But for a week long vacation to a destination, that's a different story. I used to start packing for my travels 2 days in advance, maybe I procrastinate or got too comfortable with packing, I do it the day before the trip now. My rule of thumb is simple - pack what is absolutely necessary first.  Sure, you might say, "I'm planning to read my book on the flight", or "I'm going to the Caribbeans so I need my sunscreen."  However, the fact is that these times are NOT absolutely necessary - if  you can easily buy it during the trip, then it's not the first thing to go into your luggage/bag.

I'll categorize items into Types to show the degree of necessity for your travel.  You might need items in  Type 3 or 4 for sure, but they are easily accessible in case you forget to pack them.
I like to pack light so I do not recommend a lot of things to bring on the trip, so items in Type 5 are not my favorite things to bring.

Type 1 - Absolutely necessary

• Passport (International travel), Licensed ID (Domestic travel), Driver's License (Car Rental)
• Money (Bills and spare change), Credit Cards
• Prescribed Medicines (if taken regularly)
• Dietary Supplements (if taken regularly)
• Prescription Glasses/Sunglasses/Contact Lenses (and Solution. Yes you can buy solutions during the trip, but for International travels I prefer to use the brand I trust)
• Mobile Phone
• Chargers and adapters 
• Small Note (International Travel) - emergency numbers, number to call to report loss of credit card, addresses of your country's embassy, rental car company and hotels
• Few Undergarments and clothes (Yes you can buy during the trip, but you'll to wash it) 
• Security purses (to store passports etc)
• Medical Insurance cards

Type 2 - You'll need it and most likely you won't be buying during the trip

• Undergarments, clothes and pajamas for the entire trip
• Camera
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Non-prescription sunglasses (depending on the travel)
• Watch (an inexpensive one)
• Swimsuits  (depending on the travel)
• Fleece (spring/late summer/fall)
• Winter Gear - Gloves/Scarf/Hat (winter)
• Hiking Socks and Boots (for hiking of course)
• Rain Boots (a must in Venice)

Type 3 - You'll need it but you can easily buy during the trip, available in most airports:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Contact Lenses cases
• Brush
• Toiletry Kits and Tools
• Flip Flops
• Ear plugs/Eye Mask
• Travel size Personal Hygiene Products
• Snacks

Type 4 - You might need it and you can easily buy during the trip

• Spare Battery
• Feminine Products (depending on timing of travel ;) can be Type 3)
• Sunscreen  (depending on the travel)
• Bug Repellent
• Travel Pillow
• Beach Towel (depending on the travel)
• First Aid
• Poncho (not Umbrella - much heavier)
• Packet of Tissue

Type 5 - Not recommend to bring

• Jewelries and expensive watches 
• Handbags or travel bags with no or broken zippers
• Large book (if you can't finish the reading during the flight times then it adds unnecessary weight to your travel)
• Fragrance (adds weight and slow down at the TSA checkpoint)
• Laptop for entertainment use (adds weight)
• Full size personal hygiene products (a lot of the skincare bottles/jars are heavy; and they could go above TSA limit and required to be checked in)
• Hair Dryer (most motels/hotels have it)
• Body Wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Lotion

The Impact of Too Much Traveling

Two weeks ago I was literally flying everyday for a week, for both leisure and work.  

I like picking up a magazine or two at the airport, and this time I ended up picking up TWO of the same magazine in a week.  No wonder when I was flipping the pages, all the articles seem familiar!! :)

By the way, I love magazine like "REAL SIMPLE" that shares small but great tips to simplify things in your life. Sometimes I pick up on things like the health benefits of certain fruits, how often should you replace the sponge in the kitchen, or how to make your vacuum more effective etc.  I like it so much that I think it's probably more cost effective subscribing to it, considering I've already spent half of the cost of subscription buying one issue...HAHA :)

The Art of Riding a Cab

Today I was in a rush to get to the airport, I was in a cab that I ordered the night before.  The driver seemed fine even though he didn't call as promised upon arrival.  He asked which bridge I would like to take and went as direct.  When I got to the airport terminal, I paid cash for the ride and asked for $15 in change (including tips). The driver hesitated, counted some money and gave me a stack of bills and said, "Here you go, have a good trip." I looked at it and it was one $5 and five $1s.  "I need $15 and you gave me $10." I said.  The driver replied, "I don't have enough change, I've got some coins."  "Do you take credit card?" "No." "Well can you find changes?". Finally he got enough changes for me. 


This is probably one of the most typical complaints about cab drivers, there were longhauling, extra charges, no credit card tricks I've experience.  I want to share some here and show you how to get by it.  Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about all cab drivers; most of the drivers are honest and hard working. But there are some bad ones out there who ruin the vast majority's hard earned reputations who should be exacerbated.  The following are some examples of the common complaints and how to deal with them (applies to most of the taxi law in US, please check with local rules and regulations if you're traveling out of the US)

1. The scenic drive - If you are traveling, have a map or small GPS handy, try to figure out the estimate miles it takes to get to the destination before riding the cab.  One time the driver took 20 minutes just to go around the city for a 0.3mi drive, when paying, I gave him the exact change, he asked for tips and I said, "I was tracking the roads you took - you went over 2 miles for the short ride, can you justify this one instead?" The question stopped there.
2. No Change rule - Sit in the cab and ask him to get change. Most of them want to get you out and take other customers, you will get your change soon.  For NYC, the Taxi & Limousine Comission rule requires drivers to carry changes and be responsible for find changes for customers at no cost. On another note, carrying small changes always help in case you're in a hurry.  
3. Took the free tunnel/bridge but charged you for the toll (For Hire Drivers) - The driver might claimed that he took the toll bridge to pick you up, but you DO NOT need to pay for how he got there. I got this once.  The driver kept saying that the ride is paid for already. Ask him whether the company asked him to do that because normally this is not the case. If he says yes then you can dial the car company and demand them for the change, I guarantee that you will get the change back before your call goes through.
4. Not using the meter - the driver might suggest a fixed fare instead of the meter - because the traffic is always bad on the way to your destination.  The driver is saving you some money by ripping himself off.  Does it sound too good to be true? Decline the offer and get another cab.
5. Refusing to take you to a non-city neighborhood - because it takes a long time to come back to the city.  Sure we all know that the driver can make more staying in the city, but it is not right.  You have the right to write down the taxi registered number and make a compliant.  
6. Responsible for the toll for driver's return trip - this is not entirely wrong.  If you take a toll bridge/tunnel to a destination and the driver must take a toll bridge/tunnel and there are no other free options, then you will be responsible.  Otherwise you have no obligation to pay for the return trip toll.