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Stranded at the Hong Kong Airport. How the Uber App is a Savior.

1/29/2016

I spent a little time exploring Hong Kong during my layover, including a morning stroll through Victoria Park.

By John Roberts

It's not often that I find myself caught off guard in my travels. In fact, I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to planning. I need to know all the logistics and each segment along the way, especially if my wanderings take me far from home and to a thoroughly foreign environment.

Yet, there I was, wandering into the airport in Hong Kong at 1 a.m. after a flight from Manila, and didn't know where I would be staying for the night because my next flight back to the U.S. was not due to take off until 5:30 p.m.

I didn't have a big hand in the planning of this trip, and the long (and unexpected!) layover created some loose ends for the company that was doing the coordinating of my hosted press trip. A hotel booking was eventually secured for me, but I still had no transportation plans.

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the largest and busiest in the world, handling more than 16 million passengers a year, and it's so vast that I was unable to easily find a taxi cab area. I asked at the train station, which was located at the Arrivals Hall area of the terminal, and was told that the taxis were about a quarter mile away. Additionally, they don't take credit cards (at least it's rare to find a driver who accepts them) or U.S. dollars.

OK, now I have to get Hong Kong dollars. I approach a currency exchange window, and the clerk says she is closed. Well, let's look for an ATM. None in sight.

I take a deep breath and wander over to the McDonald's, which is the only place open in the entire vast hall at this early morning hour. Let me think about this before I get too irritated. Even if I find an ATM, I don't want to get Hong Kong dollars out and have leftover foreign currency I don't need.

My initial itinerary had my scheduled flight leaving at 11:15 a.m. But the wicked snow storm on the East Coast had pushed back my flight. I started receiving texts.

Your flight is now at 3:30 p.m.

Your flight is now at 4:30 p.m.

Your flight is now at 5:19 p.m.

Your flight is now at 5:29 p.m.

Those updates came in rapid-fire succession. At least they stopped. I hoped that would be the last time the flight was pushed back. Had the flight actually left at the original time, I would have considered just staying at the airport, but not with a nearly seven-hour delay.

I have the Uber app on my phone, but I had never completed the registration process.
Luckily, the Hong Kong airport offers free and reliable Wi-Fi. I finished the registration, hailed an Uber car. I had to get Uber Black (premium luxury cars) because no Uber X vehicles were available, and I was off to my hotel for a good night's rest.

The lesson to learn here: Make sure you have Uber (installed and ready to go) when you travel through the Hong Kong airport (or anywhere, of course), which is a long layover for travelers taking long flights to all parts of the world. It's just an incredibly convenient and easy-to-use app that can be a huge stress reliever when you find yourself in a bind and needing transportation.

Also, the McDonald's there is open 24 hours and takes credit cards. The PR company hosting my trip took care of my hotel, so I went off site. But if you want to stay at the Hong Kong airport when you have a long layover, there is a Regal Airport Hotel right on site connected to Terminal 1.

I hope this info helps if you find yourself in a pinch in Hong Kong or anywhere else. If we're not learning, we're not evolving as adventurers.

What are your favorite must-have apps to help you avoid travel troubles?

Thanks for reading,
JR

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No Joke: A Cruise is a Perfect Healthy Choice for Your Adventure

1/17/2016

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Running on the beach in a cruise port in the Caribbean.

Go for a run on the beach next time you head ashore in your cruise port.

By John Roberts

I know healthy is not the first word you would use to describe a cruise vacation. Actually, quite the opposite, I'm sure, what with all the fatty foods and desserts available -- and the constant crush of people at the buffets filling up their plates. Let's not forget the soft-serve ice cream machines always tempting us or the endless opportunities to indulge with a cocktail, wine or beer.

But I'm here to tell you that there are several ways to take a healthy approach to your cruise, too. Trust me, you can have a good time, indulge quite a bit and still think about your fitness while on a cruise.

Cruising often gets a bad rap for all the gluttony. But we love to find the perfect balance of treating ourselves and staying on track with our fitness. Here is how we do it.

You can walk anywhere from five to 10 miles a day when on a cruise. Colleen wears a Fitbit and hits five miles a day without ever really trying when cruising. And many of these steps happen on the ship, not to mention the extra miles that will pile up when you go ashore for an excursion, whether it's a walking tour or a more active outing like a hike. To really amp up your health benefits on a cruise, make sure you use the stairs and avoid the elevators as much as possible. You won't believe what a good workout this amounts to by the end of a day. Most ships are at least 10 decks high and many of the newer ones climb to 18 decks or more. This really adds up to a fantastic stairclimbing workout by the end of a day onboard.

Cruise ships on the ocean have jogging/walking tracks that you can use. These tracks, typically on an upper deck, are a great way to work up a sweat and take in the views during your voyage.

We love to start our days onboard with at least a 30-minute workout in the fitness centers on cruise ships. This gets our blood flowing and lets us keep up with our fitness program. If you are a workout fanatic and never have considered a cruise, you might be surprised to know that the fitness centers on cruise ships are well equipped so that you won't miss a beat from your land-based regimen. In fact, some gyms onboard are so nice, they rival health clubs on land. I sometimes consider cruise vacations as a fitness retreat -- because I have more time to dedicate to a program with a clear head and away from the daily grind of work.

Pick active excursions in port, and you'll get the physical challenges that you crave. Cruises are fabulous ways to get to exotic places known for snorkeling, diving, hiking and bike riding. We've hiked a volcano in Guatemala, snorkeled gorgeous reefs in Mexico, Curacao, Barbados and Bonaire, biked in Spain and hiked in Costa Rican rainforests, to name a few adventures. We took a 5K running tour in St. Thomas that gave us a great workout and a look at historic spots few visitors get to see.

New cruise ships go all out to bring fun activities onboard, and many of the newest options include fitness-related amenities. Thinks about simulated skydiving with Ripcord by iFly on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, as well as simulated surfing, rock climbing, roller skating, trapeze school and more. Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ships Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape feature fun and challenging ropes courses, complete with ziplines and a plank to walk.

Although the temptations exist at every turn on a cruise ship, you can smartly design and order healthy meals. Sure it takes a little (a lot of) willpower to say no to the bread and cookies and cakes and ice cream (maybe just one scoop a day?). You also can forgo the pizza and fried foods and pasta if you're on a special diet like Paleo, for example. Menus always have well-marked healthier choices, and you can even ask your servers to adjust a recipe or make a special preparation of a simple dish that you might prefer that is lower calorie. The buffet, while loaded with all sorts of high-calorie and deep-fried options, also will include plenty of lean proteins and fruits and vegetables to choose from. You also can travel with a compact blender (like a Nutribullet) to concoct your own nutritious smoothies and protein shakes (pack your protein powder) to supplement your main meals with tasty and refreshing snacks.

If you're thinking you might want to go on a river cruise but are worried the pace might be a bit too deliberate, consider one of the cruise lines that offers bikes on their river boats. When the boat pulls into port, you are free to sign out a bike and go for a pedal-powered tour throughout a village, city or countryside. Many of these river cruise ports also are conveniently set up along well-maintained paths that follow the river, giving a great option for a bike ride or jog. We have had fun runs during our river cruises. This allows you to explore on your own. Just grab your camera and go!

One of the most healthy things about a day on a cruise ship is the ability to relax with sound sleep each night and even a few naps. I am a big proponent of a daily nap (if it's well-earned from an active day of adventure and not the result of a food coma) to recharge and fresh the body.

I might have a contrarian view of these types of vacations, but I'll always stick up for a cruise as a healthy vacation option. You just have to be committed to doing it the right way.

Thanks for reading.
Travel fit! Travel happy! Travel often!
JR

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Postcards from Burma: Famous Sites and Cultural Icons

1/12/2016

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By John Roberts

Burma is an enchanting land in the middle of a transformation. After decades of harsh rule under a military junta, the Burmese people are riding a wave of optimism as the country, also known as Myanmar, transitions toward a more open relationship with the Western world, and a new government promises more political and economic freedoms.

I was lucky to visit Burma during an adventurous Irrawaddy River cruise with Avalon Waterways on its new ship Avalon Myanmar. It was an amazing experience, seeing a land with such a unique history and people unfailingly friendly and welcoming. Most Burmese people are as interested in new visitors to their little-seen farming and crafts trade villages as we are in seeing how they live and their proud traditions.

In a five-part series on In The Loop Travel, I will offer my "Postcards of Burma" to showcase the country and its beautiful people. The series highlights photos that depict Burma's Children, Beliefs, Agriculture, Daily Life and Cultural Touchstones.

Please enjoy, and always travel happy!
JR

Part 5: Cultural Touchstones

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Burma, Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda is perhaps the most noted landmark in Yangon. The 325-foot-tall structure is among the most sacred sites in Burma and sits on Singuttara Hill. The centerpiece of a massive complex filled with numerous shrines and symbols of Buddhist faith, Shwedagon Pagoda is covered in gold and features a main spire said to contain 4,531 diamonds, including a single 72-carat gem at the top.

A vendor prepares betel leaves to sell at his open-air stand in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar)

A vendor prepares betel leaves to sell at his open-air stand in Yangon. A large portion of the Burmese population -- men, women, teens -- chew betel leaf. A popular preparation involves coating the leaf with lime paste and wrapping this around a chunk of areca nut. This induces a narcotic effect and is highly addictive. Red-stained toothy smiles greet you at every turn and are a clear sign you have met an avid chewer.

A banner displays the picture of Aung San Suu Kyi at a market in the village of Bhamo in Burma (Myanmar).

The image of national hero, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of Burma's National League for Democracy political party Aung San Suu Kyi hangs over a market in Bhamo, a village at the northern end on the Irrawaddy River. Burmese refer to Suu Kyi as "The Lady," and she has gained even more influence since her party won control of the government after a decades-long rule of the military.

Morning mist rises on the Irrawaddy River in Burma (Myanmar)

Early morning on the Irrawaddy River's northern reaches typically emits a ghostly calm as the mist rises and another day begins. The 1,300-mile river splits through the middle of Burma and plays a crucial role in the country's economy, culture and history. The river's alluvial plains provide rich soil for farming communities growing wheat, cotton, peanuts and rice, among other crops. The waters are vital for transporting goods and hold more than three dozen fish species as well as the rare Irrawaddy dolphin.

A fisherman starts at sunrise in the Irrawaddy River just south of the village of Bhamo, Myanmar

A fisherman starts at sunrise in the Irrawaddy River just south of the village of Bhamo. Fishermen have been making a living on the waters on the Irrawaddy River for centuries, delivering catches to village markets daily.

A large elephant greets visitors at an elephant camp in a teak forest outside the village of Katha, Burma (Myanmar)

A large elephant greets visitors at an elephant camp in a teak forest outside the village of Katha. Elephants are a symbol of mental and physical strength in Burma. The former logging camp is home to dozens of animals retired from the logging industry as well as pregnant elephants and youngsters who are receiving care under the guidance of a veterinarian. The facility allows tourism, in the form of short rides and interaction with the creatures, to offset expenses of care and food for the retired elephants, who might otherwise be released into the wild or euthanized.

Another popular place to view sunset and a cultural icon is the spectacular plains of Bagan in Burma (Myanmar)

Another popular place to view sunset and a cultural icon is the spectacular plains of Bagan on which more than 2,000 stone temples, shrines and stupas sit. The religious structures are connected with a series of dirt roads and trails within the Bagan Archaeological Zone. About 10 centuries ago, Bagan's wealthy rulers paid to construct the monuments in a bid to gain fortune from Buddha, and it is estimated that more than 10,000 were built.

U Bein Bridge, a 1.2 kilometer span that is made from reclaimed teak wood, over Taungthama Lake, a destination at sunset in Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar)

The iconic U Bein Bridge, a 1.2 kilometer span that is made from reclaimed teak wood, is an extremely popular destination at sunset. Sampan boaters take visitors around Taungthaman Lake in Amarapura and settle in for unforgettable views as the sun drops beyond the bridge as people walk across, many of them monks returning to their monasteries after their day's activities.

Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar)

Bagan's golden Shwezigon Pagoda shines impressively in the midday sun. The famous Buddhist temple was completed in 1102 and is said to have a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha) enshrined in its structure.

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Stranded at the Hong Kong Airport. How the Uber App is a Savior.

No Joke: A Cruise is a Perfect Healthy Choice for Your Adventure

Postcards from Burma: Famous Sites and Cultural Icons

Part 5: Cultural Touchstones

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