Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

 You’re staying at a nice hotel somewhere in a major city that wants to charge you up to $23 per day for Wi-Fi! How do you react to management? What approach do you take to score free WiFi?
Considering it’s 2015, that’s way too much for Internet. Many hotels charge a “resort” fee, as well as other surcharges for amenities, including access to a gym or free breakfast. But mostly, free WiFi is readily accessible in the lobby area.
However, before you get bent out of shape over the excess cost (What? Are they going to charge you extra for basic utilities, like water and electricity, too?), here are a few things you can try.

Join a guest membership program.
Members of a particular hotel chain, such as Starwood, Marriot, and Omni, can enjoy free internet. Ask them whether they offer any guest membership programs, and whether joining is free of charge (many are). As a member of their loyalty scheme, you get the perks of free Internet--without having to pay the daily fee.

Sometimes, asking nicely and being polite works 100% of the time.
You don’t have to be mean or threaten them with a negative TripAdvisor review. Sometimes, all it takes is for you to approach the front desk nicely, and ask them if they can provide you with complimentary WiFi. Period.
They may react by saying. “No, we charge for Internet.” (which you already know that’s why you’re asking), but then you can say “No, I’d like you to comp me for the Internet.” and just stare at them and smile. It’ll surprise you what you can get away with when you’re nice to people. By this time, they’ll either just allow you free access, or they’ll ask permission from their manager. Repeat your request, and they’ll say, “Yes.”.
If the manager absolutely won’t budge, you can try telling them remorsefully that you were just about to get a couple of drinks in their bar while sifting through your emails, however, now you’ll have to go to a nearby cafe for free WiFi. Wish them a good day and leave. Chances are, the manager might give you an offer.

 Usually hotel guests can request for all sorts of free things, like free drinks, free meals, and even free nights. It’s rare for front desk employees to turn down requests because pleasing guests and making them happy are their no.1 priority. (They have no responsibility over the loss of profits.) This holds true most especially if you’re a guest paying full price at a luxury hotel, costing $150-$300 a night. The average cost to maintain a room ranges from $30-$39. So, waiving that $25 fee shouldn’t be a big thing.
Charging $20 a day for WiFi doesn’t seem reasonable, considering it fetches up to $750 a month per user! That’s $3,000 for a family of four! It’s weird that electricity and hot water which incur marginal costs for hotels (depending on usage), are free but Wifi, which brings in no marginal cost, is not.
However, if you’re on a business trip that requires Internet access, and prior to booking, the hotel failed to disclose the absence of free WiFi, you might be able to get a one-night minimum no-show charge. 

 And if all else fails, there's free WiFi in a nearby café or shop.

 Many “luxury” hotels offer a premium price for WiFi service, and in most cases, the connection is slow and intermittent. A Starbucks nearby is probably all you need for a good connection.
Did you ever have to pay a ridiculous price for WiFi? Share your story below!
If the airplane you were on happens to crash, do an ocean landing, or rapidly catch on fire, which seat(s) on the plane give you the best chances of survival? (And keep you safe from out-of-control dining carts or falling luggage?)

 It’s those seats at the rear end of the plane.

According to a study by Popular Mechanics, which took a closer look at every single airplane crash by a commercial jet in the US, since ‘71, with both survivors and fatalities,

"Passengers near the tail of a plane are about 40 percent more likely to survive  a crash than those in the first few rows up front. “ 
So, what do you do to minimize risk?

1) Travel economy class
2) Pick seats near emergency exits
3) Book the rear airplane seats
4) Maybe, a window seat to avoid falling luggage and food trollies
5) Don’t forget to fasten the seatbelt
Of course, the safest seat would be a seat on a different plane. Considering the chances of being killed in a flight, though. You have a far greater chance of being killed in a car crash or by a bolt of lightning.
Fred Landis, investigative reporter, tells his story of an airplane crash survivor:
“When I was an undergraduate there was this really brilliant math prof who was on vacation and his Alitalia flight crashed into a mountain. Everyone aboard died except the math guy, his wife and children, who were seated all the way in the back.
He decided that this was a sign from God, moved to Israel for several years, joined the Air Force, and distinguished himself in one of those cataclysmic wars. At the time it was not politically correct to be pro-Israel but he got a pass because of the circumstances. I knew him, but in a campus of 45,000 people everybody got to hear this story. My guess is that the moral for most was to sit in the back of the plane, not move to Israel.”
Channel 4’s The Plane Crash deliberately crashed a Boeing 727 carrying sensors, cameras, and crash test dummies with breakable “bones” into the Sonoran Desert, Mexico.
As the nose hits the ground, the plane’s first 11 rows of seats for business and first class were completely ripped off. The front section of the plane recorded a force of 12G. At the rear end, the force falls to 50% at around 6G. None of the first-class passengers would have made it. However, 78% of the passengers would have, and the survival chances increase as they get closer to the end of the aircraft.
Ever since the study has been made, it has led to a sharp decline in the number of enquiries for first-class seats. Would you risk perishing in first class for plenty of legroom and a healthy amount of alcohol?
Relieve stress and feast your eyes on the clearest blue waters in Southeast Asia. No overbearing crowd here! Check out the pristine waters and white sand beaches of some of the best tropical island getaways, from swanky to not-so pricey. Make any of these close-to-home paradises your very own happy place, and start planning your next travel destination.

1. Caramoan Islands, Philippines




Cut off from the rest of the mainland, this hidden gem remains unexploited by tourism. Immaculate beaches, a row of primeval caves, and spectacular dive spots make up the Caramoan Peninsula in the Bicol Region of the peninsula. It’s been also as the shooting location for adventure TV series, such as Survivor’s French edition, Koh-Lanta.


2. Gili Islands, Indonesia


Imagine three tiny deserted islands fringed by powdery white sand beaches, sprawling palm trees, and the clearest, most vibrant turquoise waters. Green is the way to go for these islanders, with not many concrete monstrosities. Expect tranquility with no motorbikes roaring past nearby or dogs howling and barking into the night.


3. Kata Beach, Thailand


Escape the hustle in Kata Beach with its charming white sand, clear blue waters, and palm-lined beaches. They provide delectable food and a dynamic, but not so seedy nightlife. Head there from May to October to surf the waves and from November to April to seek the sun.


4. Koh Tachai Island Beach, Thailand 





This still fairly deserted island, also known as the Maldives of Thailand, has one of the whitest beaches anywhere with sugary white sand. Unpopulated by speed boats, go snorkeling in the beautiful ocean, and enjoy the peace with other wildlife on this superb island.

5. Amanpulo, Philippines
Visit Amanpulo through a private plane ride from Manila. The posh resort on this remote island in Palawan has exquisite scenery, private bungalows, dive spots, and unparalleled service.

6. Suluban Beach, Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia





Take in jaw-dropping scenery at Suluban Beach. The mecca for surf junkies searching for world-class breaks, this secluded paradise joins the Uluwatu beach and is situated not too far from the Uluwata temple.


7. Bacuit Bay, Philippines





Bacuit Bay is made up of more than 45 islets. It’s a geological wonder for its limestone rockformations and sheer cliffs. Get your adrenaline fix from this region, a great place for kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, diving, or cliff-climbing.

8. Puka Beach, Philippines
The second-longest beach in Boracay is a little more secluded and serene than White Beach’s Station 1,2, and 3. You’ll find rare Puka shells along this stretch of pure white sand, just a quick tricycle ride away from the mainland to this side of the island. 

9. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Explore Phu Quoc Island’s beaches which are still largely empty. Rent a motorbike, snorkel, scuba dive, wind sail, jet ski, or fish for squid. Yes, squid fishing. Visit the early-morning Duong Dong market for a real firsthand experience of the local Vietnam culture. 

10. Gaya Island, Borneo, Malaysia





The Gayana Eco Resort in Gaya Island is hard to resist, even if you’re not an environmental warrior. With a resort built on stilts above the water, it has a 130-million-year-old prehistoric rain forest in the vicinity. When you want a break from the warm waters, exotic fish, and corals, go jungle-trekking, and you might get lucky and spot a Megapode, a local bird that appears similar to a chicken and meows like a cat!

About Me

About Me
I’m a wandering Filipina-German living in Manila. Flower child and moonlighter at heart, I dream, write, photograph, (model sometimes), and specialize in content and user experience design

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