Sunday, July 20, 2008

A Jewel in the mid-Pacific (Where in the world is Guam?)




America's morning begins on an island in the mid-Pacific southwest of Hawaii and due north of Australia and New Guinea. The island of GUAM is a tropical paradise and a U.S.territory strategically situated in Micronesia north of the Equator between the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Already discovered by the Japanese and the Koreans as a favored vacation destination for its warm climate, white sand beaches and world-class shopping, Guam should be on any traveler's list as he approaches the Orient from the Americas.



Saturday, July 19, 2008

Stress-free layovers - Narita, Japan







Not too many travelers encounter layovers longer than 4 or 5 hours en route to their final destinations.

But when one is traveling from the U.S. to exotic or lesser known cities in the Orient, chances are that you may end up connecting in an airport like Tokyo's Narita on a layover as long as 7 hours. Fear not, the Japanese have done it again with their efficiency and excellent planning.

A hidden treasure for weary travelers are the inexpensive dayrooms found on the 3rd floor of the Central Building in Terminal 1 and on the 3rd floor of the Main Building in Terminal 2 (http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_37.html).

Available to departing guests with onward connections, this world explorer had the pleasure of enjoying 5 peaceful hours of bliss in a clean, comfortable air-conditioned room with its own shower for no more than about US$29.00 in a single occupancy room. Open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Terminal 1 and till 10:00 p.m in Terminal 2.

Tokyo has just become a most delightful layover, and now a favored one of mine on any route to and from Asia. Highly recommended!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

In search of distant lands in the East...

36 more hours before we board that enormous 777 in Newark, New Jersey on the first leg of our Asia-Pacific adventure. I've forgotten what 14 hours in tight confined space feels like...the stress is mounting, but the anticipation is more powerful! In less than 2 days we arrive in the Land of the Rising Sun. What a shame that we will only be stuck in an airport for a little over six hours!