Affordable Travel in Japan

Japan has quite possibly one of the most extensive and efficient transportation systems in the world, ranging from long and short distance buses, high speed trains, ferries, domestic aircraft, and a soon to be completed magnetic levitation track between Osaka and Tokyo. Due to visitors’ desires to see as much of the country in a limited time, it should come as no surprise that these methods are readily used and English friendly. But be warned: although Japan may have everything you want in a tourist destination, from comfortable hotels, sightseeing in every small town, and delicious food, the cost of getting from A to B can be ten to twenty times the equivalent transportation in China or Thailand (about 2-3 times that of the US); when I had a late night out in downtown Kagoshima and missed the 10:22 bus for a mere 290 Yen (~$3 US), the taxi home would cost me 2900 Yen… more often than not, I walked the ten kilometers uphill at 2 AM.

 

Although you may not be passing through an area as “small” as Kagoshima City, be aware that if you do wait until the end of the day to arrange a train bus, etc., you often end up with the fastest, i.e. the most expensive. Even during the day and staying on the beaten path in terms of attractions, the average traveler will find his wallet significantly shrinking with each excursion. What then, are some of the best ways to save a buck and still make the most of your time in the land of the rising sun?

 

Japan Rail Pass

 

The JR Pass is without a doubt the best decision you can make… as long as you’re a tourist, not a resident of Japan. Order one of these prior to departure and you will receive a claim slip that can be redeemed at any major train station for a pass with the trademark tsunami picture on a shiny cover, entitling the bearer to unlimited travel on the shinkansen (known to outsiders as the “bullet train”), the local trains, and even the ferry to the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture.

 

 

There are several JR passes to choose from, depending on your travel plans. If you’re restricting yourself to one island, try the Hokkaido, and Kyushu passes. If you want to spend one day in northern Honshu (main island) and the next in sunny Kyushu, go for the standard all-access pass, which is available for 7, 14, and 21 days (although you can buy as many as you like).

There are only two restrictions when it comes to these passes: you cannot ride the Nozomi high speed trains (the fastest of the shinkansen), and if you’re switching to local lines, the limited express trains are also off limits.

 

Useful links

http://www.japanrailpass.net/

 

 

Seishun Juhachi Kippu

 

The “youthful 18″ ticket was designed for eighteen-year-olds to travel on a limited budget. But you don’t have to be a teenager to take advantage of the cheap train travel. Three times a year – Feb 20th to Mar 31st, Jul 1st to Aug 31st, Dec 1st to jan 10th – these tickets are sold a week or so prior to implementation; for 11,500 Yen (~$110 US), the bearer receives a stamp card with five days’ worth of travel. Like the JR passes, they allow unlimited travel on trains and require you to purchase an extra ticket if you want to ride the limited expresses; unlike the JR passes, you are limited to local trains, friends can share, and the days of use can be separated: getting the ticket stamped on a Sunday doesn’t mean your fun has to end that same Thursday.

 

Useful links

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html

 

Ferries

 

There are many small islands south of Tokyo and Kagoshima Prefecture that merit visits: natural hot springs, looming volcanoes (usually the island is just one big volcano), and small town mentality. Although a few aircraft do fly to the semi-major destinations like Amami Oshima and Yakushima – home of huge cedar trees – most are only accessible by ferry.

 

Although in some cases the ferries only save you a few thousand yen and take significantly more time than aircraft, they’re a much more leisurely way to travel, with many containing first class suites, Japanese-style baths (ofuro), and, if you happen to choose an international ferry between Osaka and Shanghai, a full game of table tennis.

 

Useful links

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2355_01.html

http://www.fune.co.jp/

 

 

Planes

 

As a international traveler in Japan on a tourist’s visa, there are opportunities made available to you that residents of Japan cannot partake. Airlines in Japan, like the trains, buses, and everything else, are impossibly punctual: at the gate 15 minutes prior to departure for check in, boarding 5 minutes prior, and you go on time. I’ve seldom seen a late flight (though I suppose it does happen).

 

JAL (Japan Airlines), and ANA (All Nippon Airways) offer a “Welcome to Japan” special, with each domestic flight costing a flat rate of 13,650 yen; the catch is the flights have to booked outside the country, and there are many blackout periods… aren’t there always. Your best option would be to travel during your birthday week, where you and up to three friends can take advantage of a discount of 12,000 yen/fight within a week of your special day.

 

Useful links

http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=374&pID=770

 

 

To save money, DO NOT:

 

1. Take overnight buses and trains; despite the late hour, they are usually more expensive.

 

2. Ride limited express trains. If you have the choice between a local and limited express, always go for the local. Are you really in that much of a hurry? Enjoy the scenery.

 

3. Travel during peak seasons: April for the cherry blossoms, August for Obon holiday and fireworks displays, Christmas and New Year’s for the same reason. Obviously this is more of a guideline as most tourists and Japanese travel to see the cherry blossoms; just be aware of the congestion:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33qxTMA9XTA

 

4. Hail a taxi. This is a good rule for any country, but just don’t bother in Japan; the prices are ridiculous, and unless you need to go somewhere between 12-5 AM, there will be a bus or train within walking distance.

 

5. Take a train or bus to Hokkaido. I’m fully supportive of you going to this northern island and seeing the delights of the Sapporo Snow Festival and the onsen (hot springs) in Otaru, but take a plane. The shinkansen train north will only go as far as Hachinohe, where you wait before transfering to a limited express to take to you the mouth of the world’s longest undersea tunnel (it really does beat the Chunnel), the Seikan.

 

To reach the city of Sapporo from Tokyo takes approximately 11 hours, 23100 yen by train, 1.5 hours, 12000 yen by plane. Half the price and one tenth the time?? There’s no comparison.

Going Off-Grid in Tropical Paradise Belize

Welcome back one of our favorite guest bloggers, Chef Cody!

Throughout my traveling culinary expeditions I have spent months living off-grid in remote parts of the world. Off-grid living is neither expensive nor too rustic, but it does require some planning. When I travel to a resort or lodge to cook I look at how they get their energy and natural resources. Most of the places I’ve worked at obtain their energy from solar, wind, and hydroelectric power systems. Things like rainwater for cooking and berries for wild berry cheesecakes come straight from the local environment.

 

I like to benefit the local environment and community by buying goods harvested from organic farms. It doesn’t cost me an extra penny and the quality is usually better. The best way to describe my cooking methods is sustainable cuisine.

I’m currently a volunteer Chef at a marine research station operated by the Wild Conservation Society in Belize. Our island is located in the no-take fishing zone and this gives the researchers a prime location to their scientific studies.

Neighboring our island are many other small islands and resorts within the Glovers Atoll. Outside the atoll are the famous Cayes (Keys) of Belize. The island resorts cater to recreational seekers and tropical paradise lovers. Yesterday, I just received my PADI Open Water Diving certificate from Glovers Atoll Resort. Since this resort is in the no-take zone it provides access to some great reef ecosystems. In just a few dives I’ve seen sea turtles, eagle rays, giant grouper, and amazing coral structures.

After a long day of diving I retreat back to the research station where I get the barbeque going and crack open a few coconuts to quench my first. Palm trees, coconut juice and rum, hammocks and gorgeous sunsets… what more to ask for? Looking out from my back porch hammock not only do I see the many blue shades of the sea and sky, but I can see a solar panel and rain barrels attached to the kitchen.

It makes me feel good knowing that my carbon footprint is nearly zero while living on this island. Nonetheless the Red Snapper and Conch I purchase from local, sustainable fishermen that fish legally outside the no-take zone is delicious. I buy all our produce once every two weeks at the nearest town fruit and vegetable market from native farmers. Everything tastes great and is super cheap.

So, I say to all those globetrotters out there, let’s go Green! Eco-resorts and organic farms await you in paradise and once you get a taste of it you won’t turn back. By traveling green you can help maintain the beauty of the places we travel to. Just a few things to look for when planning your next off-grid vacation:

1. How will you get there? Mass transportation systems like direct air travel, trains, subways, ferries, and buses are more economical than going private.
2. Where will your energy come from? Look for off-grid energy systems at the resort or lodge you’ll be staying at. It will give you as much as luxury as city power grids and produce null carbon emissions.
3. What will you eat? Buying locally and organic provides a healthier and greener alternative than buying from mainstream retailers. Farmers markets, small street side cafes (sodas), and butcher shops are great ways to get to know local sustainable cuisine.
4. What about the waste? Going off-grid can be a challenge for septic and sewer systems so look at lodges that utilize compost toilets.
5. Will I be able to check my Facebook or blog while off-grid? Sure thing. Every place I have been to that works off-grid has Internet service via satellite, but be sure to look into just to be sure.

Best of luck with your travels!

Chef Cody

 

Click here to read Chef Cody’s previous guest post on Cheap Ways to Travel the World

Overlooking Barcelona

overlooking Barcelona, originally uploaded by markus941.

We love receiving photos submitted by CheapOair fans! This picture of Barcelona is just breathtaking! Thank you “markus941″ for sharing!

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Space Hotel to Open in 2012

The Galactic Suite Space Resort plans to open the first hotel in space says it is on target to accept its first paying guests in 2012. The Barcelona-based project will cost guests 3 million euro ($4.9 million) for a three-night stay at the hotel, which includes an eight-week training course on a tropical island.

During their stay, guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes. More than 200 people have expressed an interest in traveling to the space hotel and at least 43 people have already reserved.

Galactic Suite Ltd’s CEO Xavier Claramunt, a former aerospace engineer, said the project will put his company at the forefront of an infant industry with a huge future ahead of it, and forecast space travel will become common in the future.

“It’s very normal to think that your children, possibly within 15 years, could spend a weekend in space,” he told Reuters Television.

Is it worth it? Visiting the Louvre

Emily Starbuck Gerson is a travel junkie and professional writer based in Austin, Texas. She runs a travel blog, Maiden Voyage, geared toward people in their 20s (and others young at heart).

 

When you are traveling to a new city for the first time, it’s tempting to see every major tourist attraction you’ve ever heard of. But what they don’t tell you in the guidebooks is that not every attraction is what it’s cracked up to be.

 

When visiting Paris, the gargantuan art museum, The Louvre, is always on first-time visitors’ must-see list. It contains Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and many other famous works. It was made even more famous by Dan Brown’s blockbuster book, The DaVinci Code. But is it worth it?

When I visited Paris for the first time, I heard that the Louvre was so massive, you could spend weeks trying to visit all 35,000 items exhibited there. I also loved The DaVinci Code, which greatly romanticized the historical museum. I wanted to see as much as possible, so when allotting my activities for my four days there, I planned to spend nearly an entire day exploring the behemoth museum.

The Louvre is full of many incredible masterpieces, such as the Venus de Milo and Wings of Victory sculptures. There are also thousands of incredible and massive paintings, many of which are often seen in posters and textbooks. I greatly enjoyed strolling throughout the museum….for about two and a half hours. After that, I was tired of getting lost (it’s a maze) and pushing through crowds. After a while, all of the paintings and sculptures began to look the same. I was also disappointed by the Mona Lisa; it was extremely small, enclosed in a bulletproof glass case, and surrounded by pushy crowds. It was very hard to get up front to see it and take a good picture.

 

The verdict? The Louvre is definitely worth seeing at east once if you have never been, but do not devote a whole day (or even half a day) to it. Unless you are an art history major, you will likely not want to, or need to, spend more than just a few hours at the museum. Be sure to see some of the major works – that’s why you’re going, isn’t it? But there are other fantastic ways to spend your day. Be sure to divide up your precious time between Paris’s other gems, such as Père Lachaise Cemetery, Notre Dame cathedral, Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, The Tuileries Garden, and more.

 

Emily Starbuck Gerson
www.EmilyStarbuck.com
http://maiden-voyage-travel.com

Jamaican Foodie Friday

I can speak authoritatively on Jamaican Food since not only do I live here and by default eat its’ food, I also prepared a few of the dishes myself- thanks to my belated grandmother, an expert chef, mother and disciplinarian.

Jamaican food is truly a celebration of the diverse cultures we boast, along with a touch of novelty and innovation. The distinctiveness of our food and culture was contributed primarily by the Arawaks or Tainos- the earliest recorded inhabitants, The Europeans, The Africans-who came as slave laborers and The Indians and Chineese- who came as indentured servants.
It’s no surprise our Motto is : ‘Out of many one People’

Thanks to The Tainos who contributed the ‘Jerk’ flavor, ‘Jamaican Jerk’ is popular the world over. We owe the British (who captured the island from the Spanish) for the patty concept. Today, Jamaican Patty is a favorite globally. They now come in many varieties and caters to varying tastes. Juici Patties and Tastee are the two principal preparers of this delicious pastry.

The Indian influence is dominant in the curry dishes. Today, we not only have curry meats but [listen to this] curried vegetables and fruits! The Annual Westmoreland Curry Festival which started in 2001, celebrates this aspect of our culture. Incidentally, this area of Jamaica had the greatest concentration of Indians (Westmoreland)

I have only been to the festival this year, but I have learned a lot. I tried the Curried Crab. It was awesome! There was curried conch, curried fish, curried goat, curried octopus, curried rabbit, curried mango pudding, curried dasheen pudding, curried this and curried that

Some of the other popular dishes we feature includes:

• ‘The National Dish’: Ackee and Saltfish

  I have not yet met a fellow Jamaican who does not relish this dish. This is usually served with roasted breadfruit or boiled bananas. It is a Sunday morning breakfast favorite!

   

• Curried Goat:
  …is not only popular but a favorite food from Jamaica as well.

   

• Curried Chicken
• Manish Water:  Also known as ‘power water’ and ‘goat belly soup’. This is a must at large gatherings, including funerals and traditional dance parties.
• Stewed Peas
• Mackerel Run Dung: Another breakfast favorite.
• Jerk Chicken, Jerk Fish, or Jerk Pork:
• Patties: Now famous the world over. I owed my US co-worker, Rukhsana over 100-she told me! Whenever I ask her for a favor she usually says, ‘that is another Jamaican patty’.
• Festivals: I love them unending! Festivals are usually served as part of Jerk dishes.
• Fritters:
• Fish & Bammy
• Gungo Peas Soup &
• Escoveitched Fish..and what about the Drinks/Juices?

  There are:

• Soursop Juice
• Carrot Juice
• Sorrel: Most popular at Christmas time.
• Blended Roots Drinks: These have become increasingly popular. They are believed to help with masculinity [if you know what I mean]. I had one brand which had no less than 15 different roots ingredients!
• coconut Water: Cool and refreshing!
• Coffee: How could I forget coffee? Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee is world renown. Coffee now is used to make various coffee related products and others with ‘flavors of coffee.’

So regardless of the nature of your trip, you won’t get a complete Jamaican experience unless you experience our delectable foods, fruits and juices.

Wellesley Gayle is the proud owner and publisher of http://www.my-island-jamaica.com
This website is a valuable resource that brings you helpful insight in this Caribbean Paradise.
He welcomes you to subscribe to his newsletter at http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/my_island_jamaica_digest.html

Hawaiian Hotels- which is the best?

Welcome guest bloggers from the popular hotel review website, Oyster!

A team of Oyster reporters spent a month exploring 92 top resort hotels on the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. (Other islands are on the horizon.) We slept in the beds, lounged on the beaches, ate in the restaurants, and even danced some hula, all with an eye toward selecting the most distinguished properties. Here’s our list of the best hotel values in Hawaii.

 

Marriott Kauai Resort And Beach Club

Renovated in 2009, this 356-room, family-oriented resort on Kauai’s Kalapaki Beach boasts big flat-screens in every room, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, a free fitness center, five affordable restaurants, and the biggest single-level pool in Hawaii. It might not have the fancy frills of the islands’ pricier hotels, but it’s still the best resort for the buck in Hawaii.

 

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel

Location, location, location — the age-old motto certainly holds true in Oahu’s Waikiki, where mega-resorts have tried to edge each other out for the choicest beachfront spots. Yet this budget hotel, with rates that tend to range between $100 and $150 a night, managed to squeeze its way in; the family-friendly Kuhio section of Waikiki Beach is right across the street. Back in the room, guests will find fun tropical decor, flat-screen TVs, and in most cases an ocean view. A free, daily, hot breakfast is another nice perk.

 

Hotel Renew

 

This 72-room Waikiki boutique offers designer style with sample-sale price tags. Recently renovated rooms fashioned by San Francisco designer Jiun Ho are some of the most stylish on the island, yet you can usually get them for less than $150. The hotel is lacking in amenities, but it offers a number of handy discounts for services ranging from rental cars to gym passes to museum tickets.

 

Maui Coast Hotel

Located in the Maui town of Kihei, a cluster of budget hotels, shops, and affordable restaurants that’s 10 miles from Wailea’s pricey resorts, the 265-room Maui Coast is the island’s best value. The closest beach is a five-minute walk, and guests will likely want to head into town to dine. But the clean rooms have modern furnishings, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves. The laundry facilities are free, and a fun poolside bar hosts live music at night.

 

Aqua Waikiki Pearl

If all you’re looking for is a clean, cheap room, the Aqua Waikiki Pearl can do you one better — it’s clean rooms are among the least expensive in Oahu, but they’re also spacious and recently renovated. The catch? No pool or gym, and the beach is a 10-minute walk. All in all, it’s still a great value.

Going up?

Going up?, originally uploaded by mayorjuliani.

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New CheapOair Travel Blog

Announcing the brand new CheapOair Travel Blog! We have a new blog ready to bring you the latest travel tips, photos, and videos. This blog will continue to post daily, but be sure to visit our new blog for even more travel stories, deals, and contests. We have more writers, more style, and more chances for you to tell us what you are thinking!

 

Check it out! http://blog.cheapoair.com

Thanksgiving Airfare Deals

 

Cheapoair is offering Thanksgiving airfare deals from Philly to Chicago for $154 round trip per person and Philly to Brussels for $468 per person (in case you’re craving waffles and frites for Thanksgiving). A limited number of packages are available for travel on or before Nov. 30, and must be booked by Saturday.

 

(as seen in the Philadephia Inquirer)

Hawaii: Which Island to Visit?

Aloha guest blogger andhawaii.com and thank you for this post!

So, you are planning to visit Hawaii.  The most common question I get is: “Which Island Should I Visit”?  My answer to that question is always: “What do you want most out of your Hawaii vacation and what do you want to see the most?”

For example, if you say:

“I most want peace and quiet and relaxation and remote beaches on my visit to Hawaii.”  If this is what you most want out of your visit, I would say that you should visit Kauai, Molokai, or Lanai.  You could also consider the Big Island (Hilo, Kona, or Waimea).

“I most want awesome hiking experiences in Hawaii.”  If this is what you want, then Kauai is hands-down, your best choice.  Oahu also has many hiking trails but they are not as extensive and wild as Kauai.

“I most want easy-to-find waterfalls where I can swim in the pools below them.” For this case, I would advise Maui.  Pick up the book Maui Revealed and follow directions.  Tons and tons of waterfalls that you can easily get to.

“I want to see the active volcano.”  For the volcano, you must go to the Big Island.  That is the only island that still has an active volcano.  Check here for current eruption updates and how to see it.

“I most want to see the history of Hawaii, and the museums of Hawaii.”  For this, I would most advise Oahu.  Oahu has the Bishop museum, several walking tours, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Pearl Harbor with the Arizona Memorial.

“I most want awesome golden beaches that are easy to get to.” I would say first Kauai, then Oahu, then Maui.  The Big Island does not have so many beaches, but it does have two really great beaches, Hapuna Beach and the Mauna Kea Beach, plus a green sand beach and a few black sand beaches.

I most want many choices of water and boat activities.” Any island could probably suffice for this, but Oahu will have the most choices and best prices.  I would advise first Oahu, then Maui, then Kauai, then the Big Island.  Maui has excellent whale watching in the winter months and the Big Island has great sport fishing year round.

So, picking a Hawaiian Island or two to visit is actually quite simple once you are clear about what you really want to do and see in Hawaii.  Sit down and make a list, or come see me and ask me a question about your Hawaii vacation at andHawaii.com.

Foodie Friday- New Delhi

Thank you to guest blogger CUMI and CIKI for this fun look at New Delhi!

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Touchdown New Delhi!

Like many cities in India, Delhi is as crowded as the Tsukiji Fish Market Auction at 5.00am, i.e., packed to the gills.

New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the new.
Delhi as a city, is very modern in relation to the rest of the country. Roads are wide and organized and you don’t need to worry about stepping on turd or pee as much as you would in some other parts of India. You’ll actually be able to walk around without feeling like you are part of a buffalo herd, which is a real luxury in India!

The best way to see Delhi is to catch an auto rickshaw (tuk-tuk look-a-like) to the Red Fort and then just start wandering around the bazaars and old markets.

We, however, did not get to spend much time in Delhi on the 1st day, because we were off to Agra at the crack of dawn the next morning.

It’s true. You will really notice the changing landscape from rich to poor .. from order to chaos, as you leave New Delhi.

The rhythm and the style of life is different to the new “developed” India.

To me, this is the real vision of an India which is beautiful, exotic, vibrant, sometimes shocking and always fascinating.

A cute sign for a sundry shop that I saw.

Men going about their daily business .. but ON the roads!

A man selling papaya.

Crowded streets with their vendors and patrons.

Poverty and exclusion continue to dominate the socio-economic and political scenario in India. Though pro-poor policies have helped to reduce the number of people below the poverty line, the extent of these people is still large. The problem of exclusion still continues to haunt the Indian society even past the country’s Independence.

The scheduled castes which form a considerable chunk of the Indian population, despite having been accorded a special status, have not become a part of the mainstream of Indian society. Many household face the inability to have 2 square meals a day.

However, it has to be said that, though there was that obvious poverty, as well as the anti-sanitary conditions, but there was also happiness, laughter and an obvious human closeness and interaction that are continuously diminishing in the ‘developed’ world.

I found the people warm, and friendly and always ready with a quick smile, for me

Snake Charmer!

What is that red hulking structure? Oh, our guide quickly tells me that we have arrived at Fort Agra. Hmm.. what is the significance of this place anyway. I was hot and irritable and more interested in getting to the Taj Mahal actually.

More street youths trying to sell you their ware. Apparently, you need to be careful of pick-pockets in crowded areas, such at these.

Interestingly, Agra Fort has a history that spans two generations of the Mughal emperors. Started during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, the construction work on the Agra Fort continued till the reign of his grand son Shah Jahan. Though started by Akbar in 1565, it was Shah Jahan, who constructed most of the buildings inside the fort.

Situated on the bank of river Yamuna, the Agra Fort today, stands as a citadel of the past that has witnessed centuries slip by. Built in red stone, the Agra fort stretches almost two kilometres on the bank of the Yamuna. A huge wall encircles the crescent shaped fort. With only two main gates built to enter the fort, the impregnable stature of the fort becomes amply clear. The two gates are named the Delhi gate and the Amar Singh Gate.

Wow! How grand…

But next stop please. I was anxious to get out of the blistering noon day sun. The humidity was killing.

Incidentally when I checked wunderground.com before I left KL, it said weather in Agra to be mild – 27 degrees Celsius. What bollocks. This felt more like 4o.

Camel Ride:)

Man on rickshaw.

Woman with huge bundle on her head.

Our ride to the Taj mahal! Apparently vehicles are banned from driving into the site. So, we need to park the bus, get out, and get into these little mini vans which will take us in.

You cannot see clearly because of the limited ability of my “point and shoot” but this man’s face is a intricate mesh of lines and scars… he looked extremely weathered and extremely wise…

He sold us our shoe covers for the Taj..

It glistened in the sun. It took my breath away. I forgot how bothered I was.

One of the greatest love stories ever told!

The crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most beautiful and beloved structures. The monument was built in Agra, India, for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Construction of the tomb began in 1632 and employed more than 20,000 laborers for 20 years.

According to the French jeweler Tavernier, who claimed to had seen the construction of the Taj Mahal from beginning to end, the white marble monument was erected at a time when the resources of the Mughal Empire were such that only the finest materials were utilized for the structure and its embellishment and when the quality of the craftsmanship available in northern India was probably superior to that of any previous period.

Known for its symmetry, the Taj Mahal sits on a raised platform surrounded by four minarets. Inside are delicate mosaic works and marble walls adorned with intricate patterns of inlaid precious stones. The emperor Shah Jahan is said to have celebrated the anniversary of his wife’s death in the mausoleum, kneeling before the cenotaph of white marble studded with gems and semiprecious stones, as prayers were offered up for the peace and repose of the empress’ soul. He was later buried next to his wife. How romantic!

I must talk to my husband about getting one of these:P

(by the way, you only have the faintest, remotest chance of getting a Palace built in your honour, if you die, BEFORE your husband.. (and look really, really young and hot) i.e., it doesn’t pay to die an ancient and decrepit, little old lady… no way.. lol)

Gorgeous as the TAJ is, we better leave before I get heat stroke. Think winter is the best time to linger and loiter and truly appreciate the wondrous beauty of the Taj Mahal. Roger that.

I may needeth item 1 and 2 !

.
.
On the bus, at around 8pm, on the way back to Delhi, we were hit with the news…
.
.
.

We were dumbfounded.

At least five bombs exploded in quick succession in crowded markets and streets in the heart of India’s capital New Delhi on Saturday, 13th September 2008 (today!), killing at least 18 people and injuring scores more, starting at 6.30pm (just a few hours earlier)! The Indian Mujahideen militant group, which says it has carried out several major attacks in recent months, sent an email to local television stations saying it was responsible for the blasts.

Police and witnesses said two went off in dustbins in and around Connaught Place, a shopping and dining area popular with tourists and locals in the centre of the city. Others exploded in busy markets around the city, within minutes of each other.

There were like a couple of hundred people around this place and the blast site was crowded with shoppers on a busy weekend ahead of Hindu and Muslim festivals. The last major attack to hit the capital was in 2005, when about 66 people were killed when three bombs exploded in busy markets.

Those poor people! We said a quick prayer for them.. we felt helpless, and also worried for our safety.

However, upon arrival in Delhi, we were rather amazed at this city’s ability to bounce back. Whilst security in New Delhi had been tightened, it seemed like business as usual.

Back at the hotel, all vehicles were scanned for bombs by the police, before entering. Other than that, the calm atmosphere at the Shangri-la New Delhi, was like as if nothing happened!

It was weird.

(incidentally, Connaught Place where 2 bombs went off is just like 5 minutes walking distance from our hotel..eek!)

Anyway, we were thankful to drop our things at the hotel, after our long trip back from Agra.

The nice shops would have to wait till later.

First, dinner!

Oo..I see it! Situated on Pandara Road Market, I was told that this place serves one of the BEST Northern Indian in this area … and I was not disappointed:)

Introducing Gulati. It’s a good thing that this place stays open till midnight, so if you get in late, you still have a good chance of grabbing a bite to eat.

Gulati,

6, Pandara Road Market,

Phone : 91-11-2338 8836,39, 2378 2949
Fax : 91-11-29813969,79
Web : http://www.gulatirestaurant.com/

We were famished and ordered the works.

In New Delhi was where i fell in love with the PALEK PANEER. I use to be a fan in KL, but the home-made cottage cheese they use here, is just out of this world. Eating is believing i tell ya! The texture and taste of the cheese here is just far superior to that which we get back home.

I love the Paneer I do;)

Skewered Lamb chops, ‘hang-man’ style. Amazing.

Mutton Biryani – done so well, where they make sure they steam the mutton in with the biryani for the longest time to get that amazing aroma and taste (non of that add the mutton last minute to the rice bull****, where the biryani ends up not being well flavoured with the mutton).

Excellent.

Finally the moment we were all waiting for. Dessert! (The girl smiles happily)

This truly rocks my world. The Kulfi was exquisite.

Creamy, pungent, delicate, strong. Every flavour explodes. (And you feel like your brain is about to implode).

The white and yellow noodly stuff you see on the side, was bizarre and very sweet and had the texture of “tung-fun”… but it worked. Very, very good.

And finally the Gulab Jamun was delicious.

We left feeling satiated and happy that we were still alive and kicking.

Back to the Shang for some ZZZzzzzzzzz’s.
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RISE AND SHINE! Time to go shopping!

Yashwant Place! Leather at a BARGAIN. IF you know me well, you will know that two words that make my eyes light up are … leather and bargain! haha.

Delhi is famous for Leather items. In the whole of India, perhaps, Delhi is where you will get nice leather items with good prices. In terms of leather, cheap does not mean lousy.

Connaught Place is one of the best places to get good quality leather but unfortunately the place was on HIGH SECURITY alert due to the bomb blast yesterday. We were told to steer clear.

No matter. Looking at this place, I feel in love with the leather jackets that hung like floor to ceiling, carpeting.. haha

ME: “Can I get a photo?”
Man in shop: “TK!”
(TK means OK !!)

The people were great. Really friendly and boy, was the leather cheap. I bought one for just under RM200.

Next stop.. GEMS!

We were told that the Malaysian Ambassador shops here, for good quality stones at very affordable prices.

Here’s the man. Mr Mogha himself. He says , be really, really careful when you shop outside. Your RED ruby may turn pink in two months time, if you buy your stone from dodgy dealers!

Good to know, Mr Mogha!

Add:
Mogha Jewellers,
6, Meridien Hotel,
Janpath, Connaught Place,
New Delhi.Tel: 91-11-23717303

Back home I tried out my shopping… Yay! I get to wear this in tokyo.. where the weather is getting cooler. Unfortunately it’s only a 1 day meeting, which means I’ll get to see the inside of the hotel only this time

All in a morning’s work. Not bad huh? lol.
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Next stop.. SAREE shopping!

Chandni Chowk! Apparently floor to ceiling saree’s as well! I had real trouble pronouncing this market’s name but it is actually said , Chutney Chalk. Geddit?

Yikes! I have heard horror stories about India’s Underground. HOT, TIGHT and full of pick-pockets.
Not only that, if you are a strange, looking foreigner (oh,let’s say, chinese, for example) you run the risk of getting grabbed, groped and maybe felt up in the tight confines of the train.

Arrrrgh… i steel myself for the experience. When in Rome, ride as the Roman.

Hardly anyone walks. Everyone’s running for the train. (common in tokyo as well).
We find our stop, get on the train and it’s like the longest 15 minute ride of my life. We are packed up against each other like sardines. There’s no place to move (or fall) in the event of a sudden break. Good thing my friends encircled me, because i swear towards the end, I felt some strange guy sniffing my hair…

The train stops.

We escape unscathed. Wallets intact. Yippie!

Out of the frying pan into the fire.

Introducing .. Chandni Chowk!

This saree market is teeming with activity. The people jostle. The touts are yelling at us… “come! you want saree?? follow me! this way!”

Being obviously chinese, I am the target of ALL the touts who were out that day!

“I give you best saree in town.. follow me!”

So, we follow. Up the dirty, tiny staircase… We don’t know what to expect at the next turn…

We see vendors handing down saree’s from their warehouse up in the SKY, down through a hole in the roof! They could fall at anytime. But they don’t.

It’s Saree Madness day.

Where do we start?

We think its time to settle down and choose, but no.. the guy informs us that the best is yet to come.

So, up some more narrow staircases we go……. dum-dee-dum…

Ah finally we arrive in a tiny little room, up on the highest floor, were people have to stoop to walk. The ceiling is that low.

There in the middle of the room, sits this old, white bearded man, with a really serious look on his face and all he says is .. ” I show you saree”.

And then he proceeds to open saree,

after saree,

…AFTER SAREE!

At some point we start to feel overwhelmed and a little uncomfortable. What was that I remembered one of our friends from Delhi telling me?… to buy from the more reputable shops because whilst the price is cheap, you don’t want your saree coming apart at the seams on the 1st wash… better to go for quality than just a cheap price.

So, we thank the white bearded old man, and say we best be on our way.

Here is were we finally purchased not one , not two… but SIX saree’s!
Saree Sansar – a more legitimate “designer” wholesale saree shop, where we picked out our selection in the comfort of air-conditioning and where the MANAGER , was the Saree model.. What service!

Phew… mission accomplished with the saree. Time to eat!
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Thali Meals.. we like! Southern vegetarian lunch it is!

Ghee Paper Roast Masala Dosai! Say that fast, 3X without pausing! lol.
What a mouthful! (Spoken as well as eaten.)

The GPRMD is my absolute favourite. It ranks way up there with the Vadai Sambar(Indian savoury doughnut dunked in a reddish dahl like concoction (sambar), and eaten with coconut chutney).

The side dishes in the thali are standard, and the meal comes with rice. You can either have an option of Chapatti (this photo) or Puri (the first photo) with your thali meal.

It was a great lunch! I want to sleep now!

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On the way back to the subway, we past, a very popular sweet shop in this area.

HALDIRAM’S.

Haldirams Nagpur, a name synonymous with tradition, uncompromising quality, great taste and proudly associated with Indian sweets and namkeens for over six decades.

Indian Sweets, Namkeens (Savories), Salted Snacks, papad, 3-D Snacks, 3-D Pellets, Vermicelli, Pasta & other ready to eat snacks, are all sold under this brandname. Haldiram’s is ranked 98th in the ‘India’ Most Trusted Brands 2003’ survey, commissioned by The Economics Times!

And rightly so. I tried the Rasgulla…

a typical Bengali sweet, consisting of balls of fresh curd, cooked and soaked in a sugar syrup. But clever old me… seeing as I have been piling on the calories, I decided to try the sugarless rasgulla. YUKS! Believe me, the one with sugar is much better. lol. I quickly traded in my sugarless for a sugared version. You just cannot cheat with your sweets.. eh?

Sweet so good, patron’s cannot wait to take it home. They eat it standing right here, in Haldirams!

What can i say.. when in Rome!
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The ride back to the hotel. I VETO-ED the call. Auto rickshaw it is. No way was I going back to the underground…. hahaha.

If you look real hard you will see me with my little red point and shoot in the mirror of the tuk-tuk!

On the way back, the traffic whizzes by so close that I can reach out and touch the next person.

People sleeping on the sidewalks are a common sight.

What can I say.. as my trip comes to an end, I am grateful for all the wonderful experiences that India has brought me.
Though it feels like I have done loads in 4 days, I cannot help but think that this is only the tip of the iceburg, so to speak. Many, many more facets to India that have yet to present itself to me.

I’ll save that for my next trip!

THE END.

Virginia is for Lovers and So Much More

Thank you guest blogger, erinannie, for this post on her home state!

Is Virginia the perfect state? I think so. From the rolling countrysides, to horse country, to the historic landmarks, big cities, beaches, mountains, and small country towns, Virginia has a little of everything.

Northern Virginia

True Virginians will tell you Northern Virginia is not real Virginia. While it is more a part of the Washington, DC metro area politically, financially, and culturally, it is a little removed from the rest of the state’s community. But visitors to Virginia shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of the unique offerings found in Northern Virginia.

Recommended activities:

• Bull Run Battlefield- visit one of the key Civil War landmarks and learn more about this significant event

• Mount Vernon- George Washington’s home has been beautifully restored. This popular tourist destination educates visitors about early life in the Colonies, as well as George Washington’s life.

Hunt and Horse Country

Just another winding Virginia road

Rolling hills, green fields, beautiful woods, all dotted with prestigious horse farms. Known both as Hunt Country or Horse Country, this beautiful area takes up the center of the state. Celebrities from around the world have purchased large farms to seek solace from fame and craziness in this area. Equestrian lovers won’t want to miss out on the weekend polo matches. Wine lovers can ramble through the state’s wineries, enjoying Virginia’s finest wines.

Recommended activities:

• Middleburg- this beautiful quaint town features shops, polo matches, exquisite dining, and B&B inns over 200 years old.

Southwest Virginia/Shenandoah Valley

Signal Knob Vista

The southwest corner of the state is vastly different from its Northern Virginia sister. Once you have traveled into the southwest corner, into towns such as Danville, Roanoke, Covington, or Staunton, you will know you have reached the Deep South. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of towns like Arlington or even Richmond, things move at a much quieter and slower pace here. The accents grow thicker and the days grow longer.

Recommended activities:

• Visit the little towns of Lexington and Buena Vista for a glimpse into life at the turn of the 19^th century. Rent a bike or canoe for a truly beautiful tour of the Shenandoahs.

Virginia Beach

Virginia boasts rolling countryside, mountains, big cities, and beaches, all within a 4 hour drive of each other. Virginia Beach features clean, family friendly beaches. And don’t worry about leaving your dog at home! Virginia Beach proudly offers dog-friendly beaches as well. Not into laying in the sand? The beach area is also home to Norfolk Naval Station and a Coast Guard base. Take some time to learn about today’s homeland security!

There is so much more to Virginia than could ever be summed up in just one blog post. We haven’t even covered the wild horses of Assateague, or America’s first settlement in Jamestown, and what about the amazing theme parks Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens? Outdoor enthusiasts will also find themselves enjoying hiking Old Rag Mountain, or a day of jet-skiing or boating on Lake Anna or Smith Mountain Lake. Civil War and Revolutionary War buffs will find days of intriguing sight-seeing in Fredericksburg, Lexington, Richmond, Manassas, Monticello, and many more small towns that were the locations of key battles, events, and homes to many of the Founding Fathers.

There is something for everyone in this beautiful state. Take a long vacation and explore each of its different beauties!

Flickr Photo of the Week- Brugges Canal

brugges canal, originally uploaded by CheapOair Travel Blog.

Submit your favorite travel photos to Flickr, and tag them “CheapOair,” to be considered for our Photo of the Week!

Thanksgiving Macy’s Day Airfare Special

Thanksgiving Airfare Special to New York City!

Do you want to watch the Macy’s Day Parade in person and not just on the TV this year? CheapOair can get you there!

With fares starting at $158 rt per person, you can save enough money on your flight that you can splurge on the shopping and the eating!