There is a ‘Do Not Travel’ category. This classification can affect your travel insurance because insurers will examine the coverage issues in travel to these countries.

The current list includes several countries in the midst of wars, and others with major internal issues and conflicts. They are considered dangerous because some of these countries comprises world insurgents, militants and terrorists that target foreigners, especially those from the western countries like USA and Europe.

• Afghanistan
• Burundi
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Guinea
• Iraq
• Niger
• Somalia
• Sudan

This  ‘Do Not Travel’ list is compiled based on the government’s assessment of risk, known dangers, and professional threat assessments by security and intelligence agencies. Naturally the countries being listed aren’t too happy and have lodged complains against it.   In many cases the ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory has been proven to be accurate. You don’t have to be a military expert or a politician to know, the media will tell you with spreads of news articles and photographs.

Additional Reading: Travel Tips Australia

Why not? Especially when you can afford to pay for the nice things in life. Flying can be a lonely and long journey so why not make yourself comfortable when money is not a concern.

Traveling first class is a great experience. Otherwise,  why would all airlines invest so much money to make sure their VIPs were treated like kings and queens?

First class travelers enjoy

1. More shoulder space and leg room.

2. More comfortable chairs that can decline and make into beds. Of course, leather chairs, no less.

3. More peaceful. At least you don’t have adults yakking non-stop and kids running and screaming up and down.

4. More personalized service. If you travel with the same airline often enough, the stewardess will know what you like to drink without asking.

5. More sumptuous meals. Naturally, you get much better food, beverages and liquor when you pay so much more.

If you are not earning a fat income and you want to travel first class to have an experience, the tip is to  book your tickets during the off season. Also, go to the travel agency that regularly serve you may help too. They usually have great connections with the airlines, and they will know which airline offers a better deal.

Additional Reading:

Airfares Secrets – Insider Information from a Fired Airline Agent who bares all

Living like James Bond!

1. Love & Relationship- People who are involved in long distance relationships  travel for hours to see their love.

2. Rest & Relax- All work and no play makes Jack a dull bloke and Jill a dull gal.  People can get sick with boredom staying at the same place too long, changing sights and sounds is good for the soul.

3. Family & Friends -Many people have family members and friends who live and work in other parts of the world.  They travel to each other.

4. Faith & Religion- There are places in the world that hold religious importance for many people. The Muslims travel to Mecca, the Buddhists go to India etc.

5. Death- When a loved one pass on, travel may be required to attend the funeral which is located out of town.

6. Honeymoon- This is probably one of the most common reason for people to travel, to celebrate the 2nd phrase of life.

7. Education & Continuous Learning – Parents sent kids to great schools all over the world. Harvard and  Oxford for examples.

8. Celebration- Wedding, Anniversary, Birthday, Birth -you just have to go to the other part of the world if these occasions and the people involved are important enough.

9. Medical & Health-  Often the best medical care is costly and requires travel to receive it. For examples, Indonesians travel to Singapore which is the nearest medical hub. While Singaporeans may travel to China for Traditional Chinese Medical treatment and to USA for mainstream medical surgeries.

10. Work- Job requirements might mean a fair bit of travel is involved. That’s what I do a lot.

If you need to travel and likes to travel at a low cost, you may want to check out Tony Morrison’s Airfare Secrets. Hear what this bloke got to say: ”I was a hard-working travel agent for 16 years at a major airline corporation …Until they decided to fire me one morning over a completely bogus reason! Here’s my way of saying “no thank you” when they offered me a new contract earlier this year. With my extensive insider knowledge, I’m bringing forth this mind-blowing informational guide on how you can save a truckload of money on traveling — the secrets that only the ones in this industry would ever be familiar with”.

Additional Reading:

Airfares Secrets – Insider Information from a Fired Airline Agent who bares all

Living like James Bond!

At Auckland, I visited Auckland’s Dolphin and Whale Safari. The Hauraki Gulf is supposedly one of the world’s richest playground for marine mammals. Reportedly, at least 22 species of dolphins and whales have been found here. That day was Blue, bright and clear. The kind of day where it’s tough to separate the horizon and definitely not a day to think of work. and There were lots of shrieks and shrills when a sighting was made. According to the amused crew, the company can almost guaranteed viewing because there is a high 90% dolphin sighting rate and a 70% whale sighting rate all year round.

If you are going to Auckland for the first time, you can try this site for information on Auckland hotels. Don’t go there without a confirmed booking as the favourite hotels around business districts or tourist hot spots can be hard to get at certain period. Some  hotels will provide free brochures to recommend where you can visit.

At Wellington, I did a rare thing. I went to the Te Papa Museum. It was a rainy day and I thought the museum would keep me amused for a couple of hours before I decided what to do next. I was wrong, it kept me busy for 2 mornings to cover all the 6 floors of exhibits. I found Bush Walk, an outdoor venue featuring native plants and rocks an eye opener. While the Awesome Forces showing how earthquakes, volcanism and other forces have shaped the landscape were very interesting to me who don’t read geography in school. Of course, the entire 4th floor the covered the history of both the Maori and European settlers were fascinating. Knowing a little more of NZ’s definitely made me see it’s people and culture in a new light.

If you are not familiar with Wellington, I suggest you look up Wellington hotel before going there.

While at Christchurch, I was fortunate that my host made a reservation well in advance. Otherwise I would not be able to sit back and relax in this luxury 36-seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram. Not only was I treated to fine cuisine, I could see Cathedral Square, Botanical Gardens and the River Avon slowly past my window.

I’m sure you will have no diffculty getting infoormation on luxury or budget Christchurch hotels, but you might want to check the rate during the peak seasons. Christchurch is the must-see place for many tourists and business travellers at all time.

With airfare going cheaper, I was wondering if I can steal sometime to go back to New Zealand for pure holiday. I visited NZ way back in the 1990s and never failed to be amazed by this beautiful country. Would be really good if can spend at least 2 – 3 weeks there.

A search on the web widen my knowledge on African diamonds.

The world’s largest diamond was the Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. The Cullinan was cut into (1) the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, (2) the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and (3) 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless colour and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels. Next time I must look closer at Queen E’s crown. Maybe I’m in luck to look at the real things.

The Cullinan was three times the size of the next largest diamond, the Excelsior, which was also found in South Africa.

The world’s largest documented polished diamond – unearthed in 1986, also in South Africa – is called Unnamed Brown. It weighs 545 carats and was cut down from a 700 carat rough diamond. It took an international team of expert cutters 3 years to complete the masterpiece.

Another impressive diamond that also took 3 years to cut, and also is part of the British crown jewels, is the Centenary Diamond. It weighs 273.85 carats and is the world’s largest flawless diamond.

No wonder de Beer said “Diamonds are Forever” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” was coined in the original Broadway production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”.

OK, if I do get to Africa, I must look for a big shining rock for my sister’s finger. Until I showed enough appreciation, she is going to remind me consistently how she had saved my house from the water, and probably saved my skin from the neighbors’ claws.