Flying with Allegiant - My experience.

Your experience with Allegiant can be a good one if you get to know the airline's policies.  

Allegiant flies all over the U.S. including Honolulu, Hawaii.  I found a ticket from HNL to LAX roundtrip for $332 (including taxes), which is a great deal considering the other airlines were charging about $580.  

Tip #1 - Download the app or Print your boarding pass

The old school way of heading to the airport and using the machine to obtain your boarding pass will cost you $5 - per person.  So if you don't do it before you arrive - try downloading the app, you'll need your confirmation code and your last name.  

PS. Take a screenshot of your boarding pass (from the app), in case you go somewhere without reception and what not, it's all there!

Tip #2 - Buy something to eat and drink

This may not be a big deal for the shorter flights, but from LAX to HNL (or vice versa), it's at least a five hour flight - and guess what?  Allegiant does not give away anything for free - not even water.  Water bottle will cost you $2, but you'll need to use a debit or credit card.  

The menu is also limited, but if you bring your food, you'll be fine.

Tip #3 - Don't pay for luggage

Well, I pack super light on this trip and I only had a personal item (a small backpack) and yeah... people were bringing in HUGE bags (in between a carry on and a checked in bag) - without any problems... 

If you do have a bigger bag and you're not boarding group #2 (the back of the plane seats - which boards first after priority boarding), you may want to pay the $5 for the early boarding - just to get your luggage in, but to be honest you'll probably be fine.

Tip #4 - SEATS DO NOT RECLINE

This isn't a big deal for me, I am only 5'6", but if you really have to have reclining seats or more legroom for a long haul flight - you may want to consider paying for a bulkhead seat or another airline altogether.  

Tip #5 - Enjoy your flight!

I was lucky and had a whole row to myself - WHAT WHAT?!  When was the last time that happened!?  I was laid out completely and passed out!

The staff was super nice and you know what?  I'd fly Allegiant again!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - 3 days of unvacation in Vis, Croatia

Yes, I've spent the last 3 days on an unvacation.

Haha,  first of all I guess I should explain what an "unvacation" is.

It's a term I like to use when I am on vacation and I just need a break - and I try to imitate normal life back home.

Yes, I know I am on the island of Vis, but after months of traveling, I just needed an unvacation.

So...  What do I do on an unvacation? First, I cook all of my meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. No eating out. I also exercise, running, stretching, abs, etc. I don't focus on sightseeing, just walking around on what's nearby for an afternoon coffee, catching up on emails, paying bills, making phone calls, logistical things, laundry, and what not. Also, avoid the sun, it has been sun in Florida, Las Vegas, California, Hawaii, Madrid, Krakow, and here in Croatia. On an unvacation, no hostels, no couchsurfing -  a private room with a great view has been more than perfect to decompress, gather my thoughts and recharge for the rest of my trip.

Vis is a beautiful place, I could not think of a better place to relax, rest, read, write and to have an unvacation.

I've started writing my book, hopefully I will be finished by April - that is the goal anyways.

Yes, I probably could have spent the last 3 days exploring the island, but I have no regrets about my unvacation.

With that said, here are some pictures of Vis.

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Budget and Destinations

Funny thing about traveling a lot, I receive a lot of "you're so lucky" and "I wish I could do that".

Truth of the matter is, if you travel with me, you'd realize that traveling for long periods of time is completely possible. It's sort of like skydiving or driving for the first time,  always scary the first time, but the more times you do it,  the less stressful it is. Well, I still get the butterflies when going to a new place.

Well here are some tips for traveling cheap.

Tips for staying in budget:
-Equipment - don't spend too much money on new luggage, and clothes before you travel, if anything pack light and support the local economy (stay away from malls).
-Forget hotels. I might stay 1-2 nights at the most at a moderately price hotel during this 6 weeks. Stay in hostels, its pretty cool because you get to interact with others and who knows, if you're like me who doesn't plan their to see list, its pretty awesome.
-Avoid big cities. No Paris, No London, No anything in currency that is Francs, Pounds. For this trip, I am heading to 3 places sans Euro (Poland,  Croatia and Hungary).
-Avoid traveling in summer -  everything costs slightly more during summer time, if you do plan to travel during the summer,  plan, plan and plan. Most low cost airlines rarely have summer sales and tickets increase in price rapidly.
-Take advantage of free breakfast. (Most hostels do offer this).

In case you are running over budget... Try the following.
-Skip lunch (or share a meal, if you're traveling with a buddy). Eat your breakfast, take some muffins or croissants with you,  buy some nuts at the supermarket to get you by.
-Avoid touristy areas, try accommodation away from the city center, food and accommodation would probably be cheaper.

Someone the other day asked me about the difference between tourism and traveling.  For me it's a distinct difference, if you leave without making friends from that country - you were probably a tourist. Anyways, random thought.

On this 6 week trip, which includes 1 week in Krakow, 1 week in Netherlands, and 3 weeks in Croatia and Budapest and some extra time in Madrid, my budget is €1400, roughly $1800, but to be honest, I probably will not spend over €1000 ($1300) probably less.

For me, I do have some things working for me that probably doesn't exist for your normal traveler.

1) I'm not scared to couchsurf - in Krakow,  I am staying in a hostel the first 2 days (for roughly $29.50) and I have a host for the next 3 days in the suburbs, I haven't figured out my last 2 days, hopefully I'll have another host by then.
1A) Thanks to Hospitalityclub, in Netherlands,  I have accommodation for 5 days, with someone who've I'd stayed with previously in Rome. (PS. This is where staying in contact is key and not just Facebook, yes I still save everyone's number,  addresses and full names)
2) Yes to hitchhiking, some of you know that I love to pick up hitchhikers and I don't mind hitchhiking either, this will hopefully come in handy in Croatia.
3) Low cost airlines! Low cost airlines are awesome. Yes,  you're restricted with luggage, but I love them, haha, I traveled last February around Spain and spent less then €40 on tickets.

On this trip, I plan to be connected in every country. Yes,  that involves buying a local sim,  meaning if you plan to do the same, you'll need an unlocked phone. Don't even try your AT&T, Verizon overseas, its insanely expensive.

Well, enough about that for now, off to dinner with a friend in Madrid whom I've known for almost a decade.

TravelTalk - How to be Nomadic - Tip #1

I was inspired to start this segment by a friend who is heading to Alaska.  She has been asking for tips and tricks of the trade and here we are.  Being nomadic and traveling from place to place does not mean that an individual is out of touch with the rest of the world.  This sort of depends on the person.  For me, technology is a part of my life and how I keep in touch with people and it is integral to have certain technologies whilst traveling.  I mean now more than ever most things can be found online - how to get from point A to point B (no I am not talking about google... o_O)

Alright - tip #1 - Invest in an unlocked Quad-band cell phone.

I know - sounds stupid right!?  Well, if you are here in the U.S. and you're planning to travel soon - specially overseas, I really recommend an unlocked phone!?  Why!? Saving $$$ - have you ever traveled overseas with your smartphone?! The roaming charges are ridiculous - especially for texting and data.  AT&T charges an INSANE amount for DATA!!  $199.99 for 800MB - and if you have AT&T you're probably paying $30 for 3GB (3,000 GB). Seriously AT&T?!  Not to mention that 2 year contract. EW. (seriously!?)

Courtesy: AT&T website (04/19/2012)

My number one pick for a world phone is none other than a Blackberry.

I love an unlocked quadband blackberry if you are traveling to Central or South America or India.  Blackberries may not be as popular as they once were here in the U.S., but overseas they are great.  Most places you can get a pre-paid SIM card and you pay a really inexpensive plan.  In Guatemala, I was paying $20/month for Blackberry plan with 100 minutes.  Most of the people in Central and South America has a Blackberry, so you can use an application BBM (Blackberry Messenger) so securely IM other people for free - it doesn't count as a SMS.

Well, you might be saying, I'm not going to use a Blackberry here in the U.S. and I want a phone that works here and overseas.  You are correct!  My #2 recommendation is any unlocked Quad-band Android device.  

While we are on the subject, I might as well save you some $$.  You should buy a phone outright with cash. Sounds ridiculous right?!  Well, you can head to eBay and buy an unlocked Blackberry ($100-$200) or an unlocked Android device ($200-$400).  You might be paying more upfront, but you can save money here in the U.S. as well.  If you have an unlocked phone you can pick your carrier (one that takes SIM cards).  I personally recommend SIMPLE mobile. $40/month unlimited SMS (including international SMS), phone calls and internet.  No tax or other hidden fees.  A comparable plan with Sprint, AT&T, T-mobile or Verizon will cost you at least twice as much!!

Alright, I know its probably not what you expected for the first tip of being nomadic, but hey, keeping is touch very important.  You never know where you will be in the world and who you'll run into.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Airline Baggage Fees between Hawaii & Mainland

Aloha all,

I've never really paid too much to the baggage fees that is charged to us, I normally don't check in luggage, but for those traveling from/to Hawai'i to/from the mainland, I was surprised what I found.

While there may not be a big difference if you're only checking in 1-2 luggages, once you decide to check in a 3rd piece, a surfboard, a bicycle, or if your luggage is overweight - then your luggage fees may even cost more than your ticket. (NO KIDDING).

So much for the "Aloha" spirit.

I decided to put together a compilation of all 6 major airline and the baggage fees they charge.

Cheapest airline (surprisingly) is Alaska airlines (and yes they fly between Hawaii and the mainland). If you check in 3 luggages (less than 50 pounds) you'll only pay $60.00, but if you flew Continental you'll pay $260.00 - that's a $200 difference (that's more than an interisland ticket!)

Alaska Airlines Fees - Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

Sporting goods (bicycles and surfboards) turned out to be quite tricky... Each airline pretty much has their own caveat.  One big surprise is US Airways - if the dimensions of your bicycle is less than 62" (lenght + width + height of the container) it will count as regular luggage, but if it is greater than 62" you will pay $200 (the HIGHEST fee for Sporting Goods!)

Well, without further ado... Click HERE for the BAGGAGE FEE CHART!

***Note - this is only for standard flyers - if you have Elite or Gold status within an airlines - refer to your airline's specific website for fees and restrictions.

Make sure you print out the baggage information BEFORE heading to the airport (links provided) just in case they try to charge you more than what is listed!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

How was your trip?!

How was your trip!? - a question I like and dread at the same time.

Like - easy conversation starter, the person being asked has free range to talk about what they found to be exciting.  Great for weekend trips, when you can summarize the things you did.  Great for week trips, where you can highlight key points and omit those points where you weren't really doing anything or omit the stories the asking person wouldn't find interesting (like watching a DVD that you've seen a couple of times or playing that game on your phone or tablet which kept you up way too late)...

Dread - Reducing trips, countries and experiences to a few choice words...  This is somewhat troubling for me as I always think of the thing I really wanted to say after a conversation is over.  This questions leaves a lot of room for interpretation - someone can just be making polite small talk or REALLY wants to know about your trip!  Trying to gauge how much time a person has and filling that time without the stares of "I wish this person would STFU" or "OMG... I'm so bored" coming into fruition.

On this particular trip, I've sort of been gone for almost, well I will have been traveling for over 3 months.

Of course, I love to talk story and like most things depends on the person, the time, the place and the context of the conversation.  Most times, I take the less is more approach, I figured if a person is interested they'll find a way to continue communication (question... or uh huh) OR maybe a blunt - You've been gone for 3 months and that's all you have to say?! o_O

I will be writing reflective bits when I get home and post more pictures of each place.

So "How was your trip?"

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Happy Okole - Guatemala Bus Travel Tips!

I've been quite on the go non-stop for the past 2 months.  I am looking forward to a month of non-traveling in Antigua, Guatemala.

Yes, I can't believe it.  On May 17th, I went from Honolulu to Paris, via Houston and Frankfurt, then back to Honolulu via Frankfurt and Narita (a round the world trip in 10 days!).  Then headed to Los Angeles for 3 days, Orlando for 5 days (previous post CLICK ME and ME!), back to Los Angeles for 3 days, Washington D.C for the weekend (see previous post CLICK ME), then back to Los Angeles, before heading to Guatemala for a week, then Ecuador for 10 days (see previous posts tagged Ecuador), then back to Guatemala on a non-stop on.the.go mission. (I know, right!? BOO-HOO!?)

My okole is officially tired of sitting down.  I'm trying to calculate the amount of time sitting down traveling (on a plane or on a bus) and its quite daunting...  trying to add in layover time, preparation for travel time, taxi to bus time and vice versa... I will just be talking about my travels in Guatemala and some tips and tricks of the trade!

Ok... Let me show you guys what I've been up to... TRAVEL TIPS COMING (PROMISE)!!

Guatemala

Alright... First all of the triangles without the bottom are mountains.  Since my return from Ecuador, my route has been:

Guatemala City > Flores > Tikal > Flores > Rio Dulce (south point of Lake Izabal) > Livingston > Puerto Barrios > Guatemala City > Quetzaltenango > Guatemala City

Sure it looks small on the map... but Guatemala City to Flores is 10 hours.  Flores to Tikal an hour.  Flores to Rio Dulce 4 hours.  Rio Dulce to Livingston 90 minutes (boat).  Livingston to Puerto Barrios 30 minutes (boat).  Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City 5.5 hours.  Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango 4 hours.

GUATEMALA BUS TRAVEL TIPS!!


1.  There are many bus companies going all over Guatemala, my favorite is Linea Dorada (Pullman bus!).  The bus goes direct and does not pick up people on the way, if you are concerned with safety, also note, it will be cold.  If there is a "mas privado" seat available, take it, its normally $3 more, but its way more comfortable!
2.  All of the bus companies offer more routes and timetables that what is listed on their pamphlets or online.  Example, Linea Dorada does not have on their pamphlet a route from Flores to Rio Dulce (leaves at 10AM daily), BUT it is online.  So, see the next tip...
3.  If you have decided to travel from one city to another and decided on a bus company, CALL THEM!  Most information online or on handouts are likely to be dated information!  Example, Transportes Alamo advertises online routes from Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango at 0830, and 1230 (but they actually leave at 10:30!)
4.  Most bus companies DO NOT take credit cards!  Also, get to the bus station 45 minutes early, especially if you traveling on a weekend.  You can call and try to reserve a seat, but they'll ask you to stop by an hour early to pay for your reservation.  Most bus companies ONLINE reservation DO NOT work (e.g., http://lineadorada.info/reservacion/index.php).  Sooo... if you know you are going to travel and a bus station is nearby and you have to take that bus... you may want to get information on 2 buses in case one is booked (e.g., Quetzaltenango > Guatemala City - Transportes Alamo 1430, Linea Dorada 1530).
5.  More than likely you will either walk or take a cab to get to your bus station or once you arrive at your destination, make sure BEFORE getting in the cab... a) the driver knows the location you want to go, b) you both agree on the price (yes, do not agree with the first price stated).  An extra side tip, I like to write down information on my notepad with addresses and phone numbers in case there is a problem while driving.  Example, my notes for Guatemala City - Bus states "Linea Dorada - 10a Avenida 16-41, Zona 1, Tel 2415-8900" and "Transportes Alamo 12 Avenida "A" 0-65, Zona 7, Tel 2472-2355"
6.  DO NOT BOOK BUSES FROM ANTIGUA!!  There are no main buses leaving from Antigua to Flores!? The tour companies in Antigua merely buy you a ticket from Guatemala to Flores and take you to the bus station in Guatemala!  A bus from Antigua to Guatemala is only 8Q ($1.05).  If you're traveling during the day, take the cheap route...

Useful Information:
Linea Dorada - 24158900 (this will route you to all of the stations) - ROUTES/TIMETABLE - accurate!
Transportes Alamo - 2472-2355
Transportes Litegua - 2220-8840

These are the only 3 buses I have taken.  I am also working on a Ecuador travel TIPS edition! You don't want THIS to happen to you!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.