Features_ – Page 6 – My Travel Stamps

July 4, 2015July 9, 2017

Four ways to save money on vacation

If you’re like me and think of REAL vacations as jetting off to places far from home, it’s easy to rack up expenses to get to exotic new locations. After the big ticket items like airfare, accommodations and tours are taken care of, you have to think about money for meals, ground transportation and incidentals.

Stretching your dollars and cents — Dollar notes and cents from Argentina, China and Jamaica

To avoid shattering my budget, I am always on the lookout for ways to stretch my dollars and cents. Below, I’ve shared four easy ways that have helped me to save money on previous trips.

Stay local

I think the best way to experience a destination is to forego booking a traditional hotel so you can stay in a local home or bed and breakfast. Naturally, having friends or family who live in the places you plan to visit is always convenient and that should be your number one option. But if you’re not that lucky, you can get a close enough experience renting homes and apartments from locals. There are several websites that offer this service at a greatly reduced price.

I can’t speak for them all but I’ll tell you this: I booked a farmhouse stay through Holidaylettings.co.uk for one trip to Italy and my friends and I had a marvelous time. Think panoramic views from atop a hill in Tuscany, vine-ripened grapes ready for picking in surrounding vineyards, home-made ricotta cheese from the landlord, fresh herbs in the garden and bedrooms decorated with simple flair and style.

Vie of the gorgeous Tuscany countryside from out patio — View of the gorgeous Tuscany countryside from our patio

Buy and eat local

Local eats are such a huge part of a vacation! By ‘local’ I mean food truck fare or Mom and Pop delights, not the fine-dining versions served in more established restaurants. There is just something extra special about ordering from a chalkboard menu and savoring meals street side or chowing down on local favorites while you are comfortably seated on a rustic stool in a shack on a beach.

Da Conch Shack (Turks and Caicos) — Da Conch Shack, Turks and Caicos

I am convinced the lack of fancy lighting, elaborate décor and sometimes stuffy setting leaves the staff with more time to pour extra love and effort into preparing and serving my meal.

If you are staying in a place with kitchen facilities and want to save money by cooking, it’s also a good idea to buy your fruit and vegetables at a farmer’s market instead of in a grocery store. The produce will be cheaper and fresher.

Vendor showing off his giant pumpkin at the local market in Charelestown, Nevis.

I also suggest scouting out the meal options in the deli section of nearby supermarkets if you don’t have access to a kitchen. There are some that serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at very reasonable rates.

Hot food bar in Kirk supermarket , Grand Cayman

Ride local

Renting a car on vacation can be quite costly because it’s not just the daily rate that must be considered; you have to factor in petrol, insurance and daily surcharges too. On top of that, it may be a bit challenging to navigate strange roads, understand foreign traffic laws and read signs that are not in your native language. I have done the latter and believe me, it was not easy. So never rule out public transportation. Depending on where you are, do your research on the best way to get around a city or town. Be it bus, boat, a friend’s car, Uber diver or train – your pocket will thank you.

www.mytravelstamps.com — The Tri-rail in South Florida runs between West Palm Beach and Miami-Dade.

Talk local

To avoid ridiculously expensive roaming charges, I always put my phone in airplane mode before my flight takes off and I don’t remove that setting until I’m back home and taxiing down the runway. I usually get by on WhatsApp and Skype via free Wi-Fi. Of course, there is FaceTime and tons of other options available too.

But in the frustrating instances when Wi-fi isn’t available and you need to talk, not text, to someone; what can you do? I suggest buying a cheap travel phone and getting a local SIM card at your destination so you can use pre-paid cards or phone credit top-ups for calls during your trip. For example, in the Caribbean, two of the biggest telecommunications providers in the region are Digicel and LIME so their phones are usable in multiple locations. I bought a Digicel SIM card on my most recent trip to Cayman and paid only CI$10 for it. That’s equivalent to approximately US$12.

Phone and local SIM Card — Phone and local Digicel SIM Card

Pre-paid top-ups are available from five dollars upwards, in increments of five. The beauty of this method is you pay as you go.

June 24, 2015June 26, 2015

Traveling for work: Professional Trainer

For the third installment of the Jobs with Travel Benefits feature, My Travel Stamps chatted with the charismatic go-getter, Karyn Williams-Sykes. A former director of training and development with The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai she now runs her own business specializing in learning and development.

Karyn Williams-Sykes, professional trainer and consultant

Karyn, I’ve known you for more years than any of us cares to admit publicly and for all that time your jobs have been hospitality and tourism related. What attracted you to the industry?

The simple answer is I genuinely LOVE people. I know it sounds cliché but it’s true. Interacting with, being around, and observing people really tops the list of some of my favourite things to do.

What do you do now?

I design and deliver customized training programs for companies to help them enhance their customer service delivery and systems. I also host Leadership Workshops as well as consult and train in Food & Beverage service. Most of my clients are in the hospitality industry but I also work in education, banking and government.

What tasks are the most challenging and which ones are the most rewarding?

My biggest challenge has been branching out on my own because it involves building my clientele and growing my business, both of which take time. The most rewarding aspect of what I do is the actual delivery of training. EVERY single time I deliver a program, I learn, grow, and get to meet new people. It’s a calling that just keeps on giving.

Delivering a Training program — Delivering Wine Training in Sri Lanka

It sounds dynamic and rewarding but here’s the clincher for my readers: does your job involve travel and if so, where have you been?

Yes it does. Either my clients come to me or I go to them. Of course, it is more economical for one person to travel than it is for a group so I have been very fortunate to have benefitted from many all-expense paid trips because of my job.

During my eight years in Dubai, work-related travel has taken me to Sri Lanka, London, Italy, Kiev (Ukraine), Papua New Guinea, India, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, The Maldives and Singapore.

Business travel or longer-term stays based on work opportunities also took me to Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Grenada, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands.

What travel perks have you enjoyed because of what you do?

The biggest perk? Business Class travel! My former company booked most of its flights with Emirates Airlines and their Business Class service is phenomenal. It includes a chauffeur for all airport transfers plus access to global lounges where the cabin crew welcomes you by name and remembers your drink.

In addition to that, over the years I earned many frequent flier miles that translate into free upgrades and benefits when I travel for my own pleasure. I’ve also enjoyed staying in numerous 5-star business hotels and resorts for work, as those were my clients.

What has the first-hand knowledge of different cultures, practices and perspectives taught you?

I’ve learnt that people are all the same in spite of different religions, different foods and different music. People want to feel they belong, they want to have quality time with their friends and family and they want to be safe.

Soaking up some news and culture in Sri Lanka

I’m curious, did your experiences allow you to appreciate your background more?

Definitely! I learnt to appreciate Trinidad and Tobago’s diversity, our educational opportunities, our freedom and our openness. All these things have made me better at my job and better at getting along with others.

I’ve seen others struggle with cultural flexibility, sometimes with just being able to talk with others. By contrast, I view meeting ‘strangers’ and going to unfamiliar places as a totally positive experience. I am confident that trait stems from my culture and my upbringing.

Can you share one of your funniest travel stories with us? Knowing you, I am sure there are several.

Living on this side of the Atlantic, I often find that nobody knows where I am from (Trinidad & Tobago). Even people from India, a country we feel we have such strong ties with, have never heard of us. So when I landed at Indira Ghandi International Airport in Delhi for the first time, I had a very memorable experience. The immigration officer looked at my passport, looked at me and looked back at my passport quite baffled.

Humayun’s Tomb in Dehli, India. This tomb was built by a widow for her dead husband who was an Emperor.

‘Your name is Indira?” he asked.

‘Yes’, I responded. “Indira is my middle name. My father named me after Indira Ghandi”.

“But where is this country? Where are you from”? he asked with increasing bewilderment. Clearly confused, he invited two of his colleagues to help him solve this mystery. By this time, I’ve been living in the UAE for 4 years, so I knew the drill.

Me: “Do you like cricket?”

Them: “Of course! We are Indian! We love cricket! We ARE cricket!”

Me: “You know Brian Lara?”

Them: “Of course! Brian Lara is a great cricketer. West Indies!”

Me: “Well, he is from my country, Trinidad & Tobago.”

Them: “No, no, no… he is from West Indies, in Africa!”

At that point, I took out my tablet with my map app and pointed to ‘The West Indies’ and Trinidad & Tobago. I ended my geography/history lesson with a photo of me and Brian limin’ (hanging out) at his house some years ago during Carnival.

Liming with Brian Lara — Limin’ with Brian Lara

They were so impressed and excited, I got invited to stay in their country for as long as I liked in spite of my one month visa. I also got a Fast Track pass for my departure so I didn’t have to join any queues. In short succession, more of his colleagues were called over to see the photo and meet ‘Brian Lara’s friend’.

That was hilarious. To wrap up this session, let us pretend you are being asked to address a graduating class of college kids who have expressed an interest in jobs with travel potential, what advice would you give to them? You have 90 secs, starting now…

Jump at any opportunity to travel, to see the world, to experience first-hand new cultures, festivals, foods and languages. Even if the job is not your ideal position or if you don’t plan to make it your career, take the job and go as far as you can. The time for ‘settling down’ and ‘planting roots’ will come later….much later. Don’t make excuses for not travelling because you may regret it when you get older.

I’ve been to school, I’ve studied, I’ve completed degrees and the best education I have had has been from my travels. I hope to continue my life growth with these studies and I encourage you to begin yours today!

For training needs assessments and consultations, Karyn can be reached at [email protected]. Her professional profile is here: LinkedIn.

(Photos were contributed by Karyn and her husband, Phil Sykes).

June 10, 2015June 12, 2016

Making healthy food choices in airports

Do you struggle with making healthy food choices in airports? I do. In between running to catch a flight or waiting for a connection after flying for hours, the last thing on my mind is eating right. I just need FOOD and usually that means the first edible-looking object in my line of vision. Regrettably, when I am in an airport, numerous non-optimal options abound.

Let us be honest. Who cares about calorie counts and portion sizes when you are hungry? Do you think about fiber-rich whole grains and lean meats like turkey while you are being cross-examined by a TSA agent or are scrambling to collect your belongings after they pass through the screening area? I don’t.

At my tipping point, I need hot food to vanquish my raging hunger headache and cold sandwiches and wraps don’t do the trick. So when I get close to my gate, convenience is what counts.

Unfortunately, the greasy, salty, high sugar and fatty menu items from fast food outlets often are more prevalent than their healthy counterparts. Admittedly, I try to resist them and some days I manage to stay disciplined; on others, I simply give up.

Since I’ve had two trips back to back this week, I deliberately snapped pictures of some of my airport meals in order to keep track of what I ate. I’m sharing the pictures below so you can help me rate my choices.

Bagle — Cheese bagel and cream cheese with Naked orange juice. (I skipped the butter and jam). Grade B-

20150606_133259 — Bread pudding with cinnamon topping and soda (Ginger ale). Grade C.

Scrambled eggs and ham with bacon on the side and whole wheat toast. The drink was hot chocolate. Grade C

So how did I rank? Maybe a C+ or B-?

How do you usually do? Please share any tips that may help and other travelers.

May 13, 2015June 17, 2015

Traveling for work: International Trade

I had such positive feedback from my first post about traveling for work that I decided I would try to feature a different career path each month in an effort to highlight the many options available to people who yearn to see the world.

For this month’s feature My Travel Stamps spoke with Matthew Wilson, frequent flyer and world explorer extraordinaire.

Addressing the Bali addresses Bali Trade and Development Symposium — ITC Chief Adviser Matthew Wilson addressing the Bali Trade and Development Symposium

Matthew, what do you do for a living?

I am the chief adviser and chef de cabinet to the head of the International Trade Centre (ITC), a development agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. ITC helps countries and private sector businesses to develop through international trade and improved competitiveness. We assist them to build the capacity they need to operate effectively by equipping them with the tools, knowledge and market intelligence they need to succeed.

What tasks are involved and do you enjoy what you do?

I support the Executive Director in implementing her corporate vision and helping to chart the strategic course for the organization. I love what I do because of the innovation and dynamism involved. My job can range from meeting presidents and Nobel prize winners to attending fashion shows that showcase local designers, visiting coffee projects, facilitating the implementation of trade agreements and visiting underprivileged communities to see how trade works on the ground. It’s fascinating.

Sintra, Portugal - at the Quinta da Regaleira Gardens — Sintra, Portugal – at the Quinta da Regaleira Gardens

Do you have to travel for work? If so, how often?

Yes, I do. The frequency varies but in one month I can travel at least two to three times for business. Flying for work has become second nature to me because I’ve been doing it for a long time. Before this position, I represented Barbados as part of the Foreign Service for more than a decade and then served in the Cabinet of the Director General of the World Trade Organization.

Wow, that’s impressive. What sort of academic and/or professional background is needed to land those kinds of jobs?

There are many pathways. I have a varied academic background that includes law, economics and history at ‘A’ levels’; psychology and sociology at the undergraduate level; and two post graduate degrees, one in international relations and the other in development studies.

But surprisingly it is my knowledge of psychology that has really helped me most. It allows me to read and understand people quickly – an extremely useful skill in interpersonal relations and by extension, business and diplomatic negotiations.

I also have to give credit to a series of generous mentors who allowed me to ‘learn at their feet’. I am from a small Caribbean country but I had to operate in a truly global environment, so there was always the added pressure to deliver more at a higher standard.

The term “bleisure”, which means mixing business with leisure, is hot now. Do you get to do any of that when you travel?

Absolutely! Some people differentiate between business and pleasure travel; generally speaking, I don’t. Whether I am visiting some place new for one day or staying longer in a country I’ve been to 10 times, it’s all an adventure. I will find something to explore.

Don’t get me wrong; when I travel for business, I work hard. My schedule is often tight and intense because I ensure I make full use of the resources being invested in me. But when the meetings and official events are over, you will find me outside meeting people, hearing their stories, eating exotic foods and listening to local music.

On more than one occasion, I’ve been out roaming the streets until two o’clock in the morning and I have gotten up at five to explore the area before work begins. Who needs eight hours of sleep when there are interesting sights, food and customs to learn about? Not me, I can catch up on sleep when I get home.

How do you decide what to do in your free time?

I do tons of web research. If you look in my history tab on my computer right now you will see a bunch of searches that begin with ‘off the beaten track’. Blogs are a huge resource for me as well because they give you the true personal experience – the good, the bad and the ugly. For local eats, I tend to check with the concierge.

What is your favorite country to date?

I can’t pick just one. For pleasure, I fell in love with Cuba: the people, the music and the buildings make it a truly special place.

For work, I would have to say Cape Verde, Cambodia and Samoa. I went to Samoa for a United Nations Summit on Small Island Developing States and that ended up being very special for me. The country is beautiful and the people are amazing. Also, the first time I ever spoke in public on trade issues was at a small island states youth meeting in Barbados twenty years before so that moment felt like I had come full circle.

What is your favorite iconic landmark or World Heritage Site? Please say why.

Massive carvings of faces at the world heritage site: Angok Wat in Cambodia

Without a doubt, the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

I first visited it for pleasure five years ago and again for work just last month. It is a cultural and otherworldly experience. Seeing the sun rise over the temple and watching it set on the side of the ‘mountain’ is awe-inspiring. Beyond that, the beauty of the carvings and stone work of the temples are simply incredible sights.

What are your favorite airports?

The ones with the most welcoming people in the countries that do more with less. You will find some of the greatest airport lounges and splashy retail outlets in terminals in Dubai and Bangkok but the people interactions in airports in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nepal were some of my most memorable. They also stood out because the people were wholly invested in doing their best despite limited resources.

What is the one thing you never leave home without?

My headphones and my MP3 player. In school I was known as ‘the guy from Barbados with the headphones’ and all these years later those two earplugs are still an important part of my life.

You can follow Matthew on Twitter at: @matthewbarbados

April 25, 2015April 25, 2016

Hotel Review: Abaco Beach Resort

Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Habour Marina is a sea-lover’s paradise.

72 of its guestrooms boast scenic ocean views and the good news is you don’t have to bend your head out of shape or hang preciously over your private balcony to enjoy the stunning visuals.

The resort also has four one-bedroom suites and five two-bedroom villas. (The villas are garden view.)

Plus, the icing on the already attractive ‘vacation cake’ is the section they call The Residences. It consists of nine two-and three-bedroom condominiums and… OMG bite me!

The rooms’ dark wood tones, refreshingly warm and vibrant wall paint, sumptuous fabrics and tasteful details capture the island-luxury feel perfectly.

But that is not all.

With 198 boat slips that accommodate vessels as large as 200-feet do not be surprised if you go for an early morning run or swim and run into a seaman walking his dog or sweeping his deck.

The marina is popular in the boating community because it provides a safe harbor; electricity, fueling, cleaning and detailing services; and 24-hour security. Additionally, customs and immigration clearance that can be obtained on-site.

Of course, no resort experience would be complete without good food and a variety of activities.

At Abaco Beach Resort there are two great meal options – Anglers Restaurant for plated service and the centrally located Pool Bar for more relaxed fare. Activities run the gamut from non-motorized watersports to diving and snorkeling, bone, sea or deep fishing; bird watching; biking; island hopping or shopping and more

From the moment I boarded my flight and the attendant greeted all seven passenegrs with his, “Hello, please sit in rows eight through twelve in order to balance the plane” line, I should have known this trip would have been different.

Once you enter The Abacos zone, mundane reality and rigid structure exit the building.

Disclosure Statement: I visited the resort as an invited guest on official business but this post was not a condition of my stay. In fact, up to the time of writing and publishing this, no one at the property even knows I have a blog. My Travel Stamps readers can rest assured that my thoughts and comments will remain 100 per cent true to what I feel and experience. Always!

December 7, 2014December 16, 2014

Things I Never Leave Home Without

Travel essentials vary from person to person and the items packed usually depend on one’s destination. I’ve found that regardless of where I’m going, there are a few basic things that I never leave home without. They are listed below in no particular order.

1. Travel toiletry
Even with universal logos, it’s sometimes hard to decipher product variations when looking at foreign packaging so I like to have my favorite brand of deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, and dental floss with me.

Hand wipes and small tissue packs are my other must-haves. There is no guarantee that you’ll find soap and tissue in a public bathroom, so my motto is: Better be safe than sorry.

2. Clothing and Accessories

Naturally, the destination’s weather forecast influences what you put in your suitcase. In my case, comfortable shoes, a pair of jeans, and a jacket or sweater are constant fixtures no matter what it says. Nothing is worse than getting blisters on the road, so having the right pair of shoes is crucial. And, if you don’t have time to pack everything, you can easily dress jeans up or down with tops from a local shop. I need the sweater or jacket for the airport and airplane because the air-conditioning always seems to be set to sub-zero temperatures (at least in my book).

Cross body bags, also known as messenger bags

With regards to accessories, my sole non-negotiable is a cross body bag. I do not do fanny packs, and shoulder bags are too easy to snatch. With a cross body bag, you can combine hands-free comfort with safety and style.

3. A voltage converter and plug adapters

After one memorable curling iron disaster in London (I mean loud popping sounds and smoke filing the air dramatics), I never board a plane now without a voltage converter and plug adapters. I suppose having to go through two or more curling irons in one three week cross-country trip will do that to you. It was a frustrating experience. Try as I might, I just could not find a device with the barrel size and temperature settings that I needed.

Of course, many electronic devices like phone and camera chargers, laptops and tablets are now dual voltage, but I drag my converter and adapters along nonetheless. You never know what to expect.

4. Snacks

I like having healthy meals, and I believe in the ‘eating five small meals a day’ theory. But we all know that such lofty nutritional goals are hard to maintain on holiday. When you’re on the go, fried and fatty foods, and various sweets often replace the healthier items like fat-free or low fat dairy, lean protein, nuts, fruit and vegetables.

As a result, I pack a few snacks as back-up in case I have to skip the artery-clogging meal options. My stash ranges from instant oatmeal and hot chocolate packs to crackers, nutri-bars and nuts. Almonds, and trail mixes with peanuts and raisin combinations are my favorite. Bottled water, bought at the destination, is a great accompaniment.

5. Over-the-counter drugs

True confession: I had a funny yet embarrassing encounter with an airport security rep on my way to Cayman Brac one Easter week-end. The gentleman asked me if I had any tablets on me, and I proceeded to delay the line while I turned my bag upside down to look for my vitamins.

Deadpan, the man looked me in the eye and said, “I mean electronic devices ma’am; as in iPads or Nooks.” Feeling quite daft, I simply smiled and said no. All in slow motion. What else was a girl to do? My excuse is that it had been a rough work week, and I was tired!

So by now I’m sure you’ve figured out what’s in my travel pillbox. Heartburn and diarrhea medicine are often packed too.

6. Bug spray

I am a magnet for every type of insect that lives so I have to rely on bug spray to protect my skin from bites and stings. There are several brands on the market and finding the perfect one may take some time. I’m a Deep Woods convert.

7. Backup documents

I always travel with a folder that has print outs of my entire vacation itinerary – flights, hotel reservations, airport transfers and coupons for car rentals and day trips. I think it’s also a good idea to keep a copy of my passport somewhere safe, as well as a list of important numbers, like my bank and credit card company.

8. Reading material

Finally, books or magazines are always in my tote because I love to read even more than I love to travel (and that’s saying something). Judging from my earlier story, it’s clear that I don’t travel with Nooks or Kindles. But a riveting hard cover or paperback? Bring it on!

How does your list compare?