rapid travel chai: the world less traveled - frequent traveler university tampa 2013

“That's never leaving Eliteistan, the rarefied, and tosome degree monotonous, world in which thewealthy walk from business-class cabin to town carto top-tier-but-still-chain-because-they-know-it-and-get-points hotel to Starbucks…

…sometimes you just want to veg out and read onthe beach. But we travel to travel, to see new things,get out of our routines and expand our brains.”

In Praise of Wandering “Over There”by Fuzz Hogan, Slate

“That's never leaving Eliteistan, the rarefied, and tosome degree monotonous, world in which thewealthy walk from business-class cabin to town carto top-tier-but-still-chain-because-they-know-it-and-get-points hotel to Starbucks…

…sometimes you just want to veg out and read onthe beach. But we travel to travel, to see new things,get out of our routines and expand our brains.”

In Praise of Wandering “Over There”by Fuzz Hogan, Slate

The World Less Traveled

Stefan KrasowskiRapid Travel Chai

Itinerary

Why The World Less Traveled?

Miles and Points Beyond Cathay J to Bali

Would You Go To…

North Korea

Saudi Arabia

Haiti


Miles and Points Beyond Cathay J to Bali

Would You Go To…

North Korea

Saudi Arabia

Haiti

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

Who am I?

I lived in China for 8 years

I work in international business

I plan obsessively

I travel fast

I come back exhausted

My wife is the opposite

I lived in China for 8 years

I work in international business

I plan obsessively

I travel fast

I come back exhausted

My wife is the opposite


Rome in Africa or Rome in Rome?

Colosseum, Rome

Colosseum, El-Jem, Tunisia


Photo by jimmyharris, flickr

And While You’re in Tunisia


How to Get to Tunisia?

2 hour flight from Europe – easy for FTU-ers!


…and more!

Inspired Star Wars Sandcrawler

Jesuits and Germans in Paraguay


Deserted UNESCOJesuit missions

German yerbamate farmers

Itaipú Dam+ +

How to Get to Paraguay?

AA nonstop from Miami or Latin American airlines

Overland from Argentina (Iguazú Falls or Posadas)


American Airlines Miami – Asunción inaugural flight

Thin Red Line in Solomon Islands


How to Get to Solomon Islands?

Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia

Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip

Book award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic orSingapore, not Hawaiian (limited to LAX flights)

Retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now VAand bookable for Delta


Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia

Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip

Book award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic orSingapore, not Hawaiian (limited to LAX flights)

Retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now VAand bookable for Delta

Edson’s Bloody Ridge

Cons and Pros


Cons

Red tape (visas) can be a hassle

Some destinations unavoidably expensive

Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels

Stress…especially with companions


Red tape (visas) can be a hassle

Some destinations unavoidably expensive

Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels

Stress…especially with companions

Awards can do a lot, but not everything

Delta or United to Saipan or Guam

Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261

Rental SUV $50

= Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base


Delta or United to Saipan or Guam

Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261

Rental SUV $50

= Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base

Enola Gay Loading PitAir Ops BuildingFreedom Air

Pros

Every day is off-peak

Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds

No tourist industry = few tourist scams

Authentic interaction with locals

Make a difference with your dollars

Learn

“You went where?” bar stories to tell


Every day is off-peak

Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds

No tourist industry = few tourist scams

Authentic interaction with locals

Make a difference with your dollars

Learn

“You went where?” bar stories to tell

Go West in Dominican Republic


Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali

Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali


Air Awards

Point A to B awards are easy

Points A to B to C to ∞ awards are hard

Get the trip you want, a simple roundtrip is not a sin

Codeshares may not be bookable

Check airline partners beyond alliance

Point A to B awards are easy

Points A to B to C to ∞ awards are hard

Get the trip you want, a simple roundtrip is not a sin

Codeshares may not be bookable

Check airline partners beyond alliance


British Airways Avios Partners

+


+

Avios are Miles AspirinShort flights earn few miles and can be very expensive

Africa, Canada, Pacific, South America flights

Transfer bonuses from Amex MR, not Chase UR


Continental Island Hopper

Can’t bear to call it ‘United’

Join missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders

String together 2-day layovers for next flight!

Don’t forget Yap and Palau (Koror)

Can’t bear to call it ‘United’

Join missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders

String together 2-day layovers for next flight!

Don’t forget Yap and Palau (Koror)


Palau and Peleliu


Pohnpei


For Obscure Airlines

OneTravel for hard to ticket airlines

Get reservation record AND ticket number


Hotels Have Partners Too


IHG Rewards Hotels Anywhere

The opportunity is for non-chain hotels, but since this is FTU


Compared to 12,000 HyattGold Passport points

Would you go to…


Would you go to…

Go/no go ethical dilemma

Government ≠ People


Mt Kyaiktiyo,Myanmar (Burma)in 2010

Would you go to…

Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum


Would you go to…Muslim countries(if you are non-Muslim)

Are you comfortable feeling really outsider?

Women: will you wear a head scarf or abaya?

Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered,‘Muslim countries’ defined as countries with majority Muslim populations

Are you comfortable feeling really outsider?

Women: will you wear a head scarf or abaya?



Kota Kinabalu,Sabah, Malaysia

Would you go to…Muslim countries(if you are non-Muslim)

Wide diversity – Morocco to Indonesia

Be low-profile and modest

Women – pros and cons of the attention

Israeli stamps in passports


Wide diversity – Morocco to Indonesia

Be low-profile and modest

Women – pros and cons of the attention

Israeli stamps in passports



Al Batinah, Oman

Would you go to…Dictatorships

Will you accept that money will go to the government?

Will you take care to not compromise locals?

Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered

Will you accept that money will go to the government?

Will you take care to not compromise locals?

Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

Ashgabat,Turkmenistan

Would you go to…Dictatorships

Often safe for tourists that follow the rules

Covert journalists, missionaries, etc beware


Often safe for tourists that follow the rules

Covert journalists, missionaries, etc beware


Baku, Azerbaijan

Would you go to…High crime countries

Will you take precautions or take risks?


Will you take precautions or take risks?


Copán,Honduras

Would you go to…High crime countries

Get out to the countryside

Avoid drug traffic routes

Daylight is your friend

Party somewhere else


Get out to the countryside

Avoid drug traffic routes

Daylight is your friend

Party somewhere else


Suchitoto, El Salvador

Would you go to…‘Failed States’

Is it a ‘failed state’ for tourism?

Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered ,‘failed states’ is a nebulous term, see the annual Foreign Policy Failed States Index

Is it a ‘failed state’ for tourism?



Victoria Falls Hotel,Zimbabwe

Would you go to…‘Failed States’

Lack of government vs lack of safety

Armored car approach vs low key

Know your contingencies

Read Little Bunch of Madmen by Mort Rosenblum


Lack of government vs lack of safety

Armored car approach vs low key

Know your contingencies

Read Little Bunch of Madmen by Mort Rosenblum



Dhaka, Bangladesh

Would you go to…Conflict zones

What is your motivation?

Will you endanger yourself or others?


What is your motivation?

Will you endanger yourself or others?


WWII Monument,Almaty, Kazakhstan

Would you go to…Conflict zones

Widespread vs localized conflict


Widespread vs localized conflict


SouthernSri Lankain 2010

Rapid Travel ChaiGuide to Culture in One Slide

Rapid Travel ChaiGuide to Culture in One Slide


Don’t Be These Guys

Wearingshorts

Flippantlywearinglocal hats

At least shirtshave sleeves


Aussie football fansin Oman

Wearingshorts

Flippantlywearinglocal hats

North Korea


Can You Go?

Yes, it is legal

Plan at least 1 month ahead

Now open year-round

Mass Games not planned for 2014

Agency handles visa and does not need your passport

What if something happens? Call Swedish Embassy,Jimmy Carter or Dennis Rodman

Yes, it is legal

Plan at least 1 month ahead

Now open year-round

Mass Games not planned for 2014

Agency handles visa and does not need your passport

What if something happens? Call Swedish Embassy,Jimmy Carter or Dennis Rodman


Agencies

Must book with an approved agency:Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options

big bus tours or $$$ small groupUri Tours: new player, more boutique

smaller groups

Both have interesting theme tours like Uri golf tour

Itinerary set in advance and difficult (for you) to change

But itinerary will change and guides do their best

Consider private tour for more local interaction

Must book with an approved agency:Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options

big bus tours or $$$ small groupUri Tours: new player, more boutique

smaller groups

Both have interesting theme tours like Uri golf tour

Itinerary set in advance and difficult (for you) to change

But itinerary will change and guides do their best

Consider private tour for more local interaction©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

How to Get to North Korea

Typically must get yourself to Beijing:2-entry visa if train or visit other Chinese cities72-hour stopover if international flights only

Train entry/exit for US ctizens still an issue

Koryo Air is cheaper and the full experience

Air China is Star Alliance,I’ve never seen awards to FNJ…

Typically must get yourself to Beijing:2-entry visa if train or visit other Chinese cities72-hour stopover if international flights only

Train entry/exit for US ctizens still an issue

Koryo Air is cheaper and the full experience

Air China is Star Alliance,I’ve never seen awards to FNJ…


The Guides

If you break the rules, your guides will pay

No freedom of movement without guide

Guides loosen up a bit when you build trust

Be reasonable in requests

Be considerate on sensitive topics

If you break the rules, your guides will pay

No freedom of movement without guide

Guides loosen up a bit when you build trust

Be reasonable in requests

Be considerate on sensitive topics


On the Ground

You are guests in their house

You see what they want you to see, and a bit more

Mobile phones now allowed – local SIM $$$

Try being disconnected – finally a relaxing vacation!

You are guests in their house

You see what they want you to see, and a bit more

Mobile phones now allowed – local SIM $$$

Try being disconnected – finally a relaxing vacation!


What You See - Monuments


What You See - DMZ


What You See - Glimpses of Daily Life


What You See – Mass Games (next in 2015)


What You See – If It’s a Holiday


What You See – Party Time!


Saudi Arabia


Can You Go to Saudi Arabia?

Muslims welcome

Jews officially not unwelcome, but…

Women not welcome alone (unless business)

Tourists not welcome without $$$$$ group

Transit visa (thanks UPGRD Matthew http://bit.ly/11uCx9K)


Muslims welcome

Jews officially not unwelcome, but…

Women not welcome alone (unless business)

Tourists not welcome without $$$$$ group

Transit visa (thanks UPGRD Matthew http://bit.ly/11uCx9K)

His and Hers Transit Visas

Bribed my wife with 2 nights at Park Hyatt Dubai

Follow the official process first

Then go with the flow

Took me 4 trips to Saudi Consulate in NYC

Must prove need to transit

24 hours single-entry easiest, multiple/72 hours possible

Without visa, transits cannot leave airport


Bribed my wife with 2 nights at Park Hyatt Dubai

Follow the official process first

Then go with the flow

Took me 4 trips to Saudi Consulate in NYC

Must prove need to transit

24 hours single-entry easiest, multiple/72 hours possible

Without visa, transits cannot leave airport

Then Go Abaya Shopping


How to Get to Saudi Arabia

Get the full experience with Saudia, easy Delta award

Marriotts are category 4 – use up your certs


Who Can Hack their Way into the Royal Terminal?


Riyadh – Dusty Capital


Jeddah – Ornate Old Town


Haiti


This is the Haiti We See in the News


This is Who Goes to Haiti


Haiti Was Once Fabulously Rich

Richest colony in 18th century

50% of France’s GNP in the 1750s

Now Haiti needs your tourist dollars


Anchor of Columbus’flagship Santa Maria

How to Get to Haiti

Easy awards on American and Delta (ATL, JFK, MIA)

Continue to France via Guadeloupe on Delta/Air France

Overland from Dominica Republic difficult


Tortug' Air

Reality Check

Infrastructure is still patchy

Safety is an issue – comparable to Central America


Cap-HaïtienAirport in 2012

Cap-Haïtien and Citadelle Laferrière

1-hour flight from Port-au-Prince, charters from Florida

Hostellerie du Roi Christophe


Coastal ruins

Cap-Haïtien and Citadelle Laferrière


Port-au-Prince

City is buzzing on the ruins


No more tent city

City is buzzing on the ruins

Hope


Fun


Make a Difference


You have the toolsYou have the opportunityYou are the travel 0.001%What will you do?

You have the toolsYou have the opportunityYou are the travel 0.001%What will you do?


Thank You

[email protected]@rapidtravelchai

rapidtravelchai.com


rapid travel chai: the world less traveled - frequent traveler university tampa 2013

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