More tips on how to pack a carry-on bag

With security increasingly tight at airports leading to delays and airlines charging more and more fees on checked-in baggage, knowing how to pack everything into a carry-on is increasingly important. Hence, a recent Forbes.com article about packing for portability is well worth reading.

According to Forbes.com, there is another reason to pack for portability: Theft or lost checked-in bags. The article noted a 2008 report from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which revealed that over a three-year period, an estimated 42,000 travelers in the USA alone have reported missing items from their luggage with a total estimated value of more than US$31 million. Missing items would include things such as clothing, jewelry, laptops and medicines and the article even quoted Doug Dyment, the creator of OneBag, a travel blog that offers advice on how to pack, as saying: "There are only two types of luggage: Carry-on luggage and lost luggage!”

Hence, here are five essential packing tips to remember before your next business trip:

• Have a packing list and consider it to be a “contract with yourself” to NOT put items into your suitcase that is not on it.
• Never travel with a suitcase that can’t also be carried instead of wheeled.
• Carrying a garment fresh from the cleaners that is still on the hanger is ok as usually it won’t be counted as an additional piece of luggage. In fact, the flight attendants will likely hang it up in front of the cabin.
• Women need to be aware of the weight of all of their products – especially cosmetics. Moreover, they should be aware of the amount of water in their products both for weight and security concerns
• Look for solid versions of liquid products. For example: Powdered toothpaste weights less than tooth paste that comes in a tube and there is less risk of it ruining your clothes should it explode or leak.

At the end of the article, Dyment noted that organization is the key as there is no secret to traveling light because all that is in your suitcase is a very large number of very small things – an excellent point worth remembering.

Japanese business etiquette video: Exchanging meishi kokan or business cards

If you are planning a business trip to Japan, this short video from JapanTravelTV about giving and receiving business cards or meishi kokan in Japan is well worth watching. As the narrator explains, there are some subtle manners and etiquette to follow.

The video begins by showing the proper angle of bowing and the proper angle of the feet while doing so. The narrator then describes the proper procedure for exchanging business cards. This includes holding the corners of the business card and not covering up the company name or logo as this is considered bad manners. When giving the business card, hold the corner of it and when receiving one, be sure to hold it in both hands over your business cards or meishi kokan case and display respect by carefully reading over it rather than quickly putting it away.

Keeping these tips in mind will greatly aide you in making a good first impression on your next business trip to Japan or when dealing with your Japanese business counterparts.

The best iPhone travel applications

If you are a road warrior with an iPhone, Forbes.com has recently posted a great article listing several must-have iPhone travel applications that are less known than some of the more popular apps such as FlightTrack (which will tell you if your plane is running late), Next Flight (which tracks upcoming flight departures) and Currency (which provides updated exchange rate information). These lesser known iPhone travel apps include the following:

• Yelp's "Monocle": If you have a iPhone 3G S with the latest version of Yelp's iPhone App, just shake it three times to activate a feature called "Monocle." Then point the screen in any direction to see information about what you are looking at that is superimposed over a real world image. Cost of the application: Free.
• Email 'n Walk: This application uses the iPhone's internal camera to project a video behind an email you are working on. In other words, you can multitask. Cost of the application: US$0.99.
• I'm In Town: If you are about to arrive or are already in your travel destination, this application will search through your contacts who are in your vicinity and alert them via email that you are in town and how they can get in touch with you. Cost of the application: US$0.99.
• Shoot It! This application allows you to send personalized post cards straight from your iPhone or Blackberry to your friends or family with just one click. Cost of the application: US$0.99 for the application and US$0.99 to send a postcard in the US or up to US$1.50 if outside the US.

In addition, Forbes.com has also posted a video about the best iPhone apps that is also well worth watching even if you are not a technology geek.

How to avoid illness while traveling

A hectic travel schedule can easily wear down even the most fit business traveler’s immune system. Not to mention the fact that flu season is in full swing right now in Northern latitudes. Hence, a recent Wall Street Journal interview with Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, a travel-health expert for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a professor of medicine at Emory University, is well worth reading. Some of the tips or advice she mentioned during the interview included:

• It's never too late be be vaccinated for something like Hepatitis A.
• Have a good idea of what your travel schedule will be like for the next six months to a year and get vaccinated and buy medicines accordingly.
• If possible, go in a day early to get used to the time zone and spend as much time as you can outdoors to adjust your biological clock.
• Make a little travel health kit with everything that you might need in the event of a minor illness.
• Be sure to have loperamide (Imodium) and an antibiotic – especially if you are traveling to a developing country.
• Wash your hands more than you usually do and carry an alcohol-based sanitizer or hand gel.

Keeping the above tips in mind will keep you healthy both before and during your next hectic business trip.

The world's worst airports for delays

If you are a frequent traveler in Asia, a recent Forbes.com article about the world’s most delayed airports has both good news and bad news for you. First, the good news: Some of the world's least delayed airports are in Asia. These include airports in Japan and South Korea. In fact, it was noted that flights at Osaka's Itami Airport were 94% on time in 2009 while flights arriving at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport were 91% on time and those departing were 93% on time.

Now the bad news: Many of the world's most delayed airports are in China and India. These include the following airports:

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL):

• Worst-arrival rank: 1
• On-time arrivals: 44.5%

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM):

• Worst-arrival rank: 2
• On-time arrivals: 55.9%

Chennai International Airport (MAA):

• Worst-arrival rank: 4
• On-time arrivals: 63.9%

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK):

• Worst-departure rank: 1
• On-time departures: 38.3%

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

• Worst-departure rank: 10
• On-time departures: 62.4%

Hence and if you are traveling to some of the above airports, you should probably anticipate the possibility of having a delay either when arriving or departing.

Chinese business etiquette video: Giving and receiving business cards

If you are planning a business trip to China, this short video about giving and receiving business cards in China featuring Mark Kemsley, who has worked as a business consultant in China for 20 years and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin, is well worth watching. As Mark explains, not having a business card is the equivalent of not having a name as the Chinese place great importance on both greetings and titles. In fact, the Chinese prefer to deal with someone who is of equal importance to them and preferably has a high sounding title – hence, the importance of having a business card that clearly shows your rank.

In addition and when giving a business card, Mark explains that you should always be standing and use both hands while if you accept a business card with only one hand, it is considered extremely disrespectful. Moreover, it's very important that you don't just ignore the business card and stick it in your pocket. Instead, carefully read over it for about three or four seconds before putting it in your pocket.

Tips for packing a 22-inch carry-on bag

If you are a road warrior who travels regularly, especially across borders, you probably have gotten accustomed to not checking in luggage. After all, with increased airport security, longer waiting times along with higher fees for checked in bags have made carry-on luggage essential for saving time. However, packing everything you need into a 22-inch suitcase for meetings, formal and informal dinners or gatherings plus the gym can be downright tricky. 

Hence, a recent Wall Street Journal interview with handbag designer and road warrior Devi Kroell is well worth reading as she offer tips for other road warriors about how to keep their wardrobe both versatile and “fresh” while living out of that 22-inch suitcase. Her tips included:

• Take items that are multifunctional.
• Pack knits because these can be easily crinkled and uncrinkled.
• Tissue paper in between each garment will make them less likely to wrinkle.
• Keep your toiletries in a little zippered pouch that’s waterproof in case something leaks or explodes.
• If you are a man, pack socks in different colors as it will get you noticed more!

Keeping the above tips in mind will save you both time and potential grief on your next hectic business trip.

Price comparison: Ferrari Rosso helmet

The Ferrari Rosso is an all-Italian helmet and an official Ferrari licensed product. And since its shell is produced in advanced thermoplastic polymers, the result is a low weight of just 950 grams – perfect for someone who regularly rides a motorcycle or moped.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Ferrari Rosso helmet in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in three European cities and lowest in Hong Kong.

Price Comparison*

Paris	€332	US$452
Brussels	€320	US$436
Frankfurt	€299	US$407
Tokyo	37,030 Yen	US$404
New York City	US$360	US$360
Rome	€249	US$339
London	180 Pounds	US$278
Hong Kong	HK$1,960	US$252

* Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of February 22, 2010.

Five great travel gift ideas for the executive traveler

Forbes.com has recently posted a video interview of Adam Rich, the co-founder of Thrillist (a newsletter and website that caters to male urban professionals in their twenties and thirties), who mentioned five great ideas about what to get an executive traveler who has everything. Adam’s gift ideas included:

• Grid-it by Cocoon Innovations is a lattice work of elastic straps to keep everything inside your laptop bag. The Grid-it retails for US$19.95.
• The Movie Wedge is a beanbag with a wedge on it that acts as a stand to hold up your iPhone plus the microfiber case can be used to clean its screen. The Movie Wedge retails for US9.95.
• The Southern Brand iPhone sleeve is a sleeve made out of cowhide and the sale proceeds will go to assist struggling musicians. The Southern Brand iPhone sleeve retails for US$29.00.
• The Balanzza Too is a 3 in 1 travel accessory that includes a timer, flashlight and a luggage scale to prevent you from being overcharged for overweight luggage. The Balanzza Too retails for US$31.00.
• The Eskuche Headphones has a great retro look and also comes with several interchangable cords – including one that allows you to use your phone handsfree. The Eskuche Headphones retails for US$58.00. 

So if you or someone you know is a regular business traveler who has just about everything, some of the above gift ideas might be worth considering.

 

Useful video to learn some basic Bahasa Indonesian survival phrases

Should you be visiting Indonesia soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some Bahasa Indonesian words or phrases. In this video, you will learn the following useful Bahasa Indonesian survival words:

Hello - Halo

Goodbye - Selamat tinggal

How are you? - Apa kabar?

Very well, and you? - Baik sekali dan bagaimana dengan anda?

Thank you - Terima kasih

You're welcome - Terima kasih kembali

Do you speak English? - Apakah anda berbicara bahasa inggeris?

What is your name? - Siapakah nama anda?

Excuse me - Permisi

Where is the bathroom? - Dimanakah kamar kecil?

Knowing the above Bahasa Indonesian words or phrases will make even a short trip to Indonesia much more easier!

Chinese business etiquette videos

Relationships and proper etiquette are extremely important considerations when doing business with the Chinese as they are renowned for being skilled and patient negotiators. Hence, its always important to put your best foot forward and to know what to expect when you meet with potential Chinese business partners for the first time.

In this first short video, the proper way to greet someone at the beginning of a business meeting is addressed:

In this second short video, viewers are walked through an entire business meeting between a Westerner and her potential Chinese business partners:

Price comparison: The i2 Segway

Since their unveiling back in roo1, the two-wheeled self-balancing electric Segway have had some success in certain niche markets or as a novelty item. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for the i2 Segway in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in Bangkok – in fact, nearly double in comparison to New York where i2 Segway prices were lowest. Nevertheless, having a i2 Segway would probably not make much of a difference when navigating through Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams!

Price Comparison*

Bangkok	399,000 Baht	US$12,025
Frankfurt	€8,530	US$11,651
Shanghai	75,000 Yuan	US$10,976
Tokyo	981,750 Yen	US$10,927
Paris	€6,650	US$9,083
Sydney	A$9,450	US$8,464
Rome	€5,988	US$8,179
London	5,200 Pounds	US$8,175
Brussels	€5,595	US$7,642
New York City	US$6,215	US$6,215

* Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of Feb 16, 2010.

How to use chopsticks videos

For westerners who are accustomed to eating with silverware, using chopsticks for the first few times can be intimidating and tricky. Luckily, learning how to use chopsticks is not that difficult with a little bit of practice.

In this first video, Hiu Yau, a home chef and caterer, first explains the different types of chopsticks and what they are used for:

In this second video, the basic Chinese method for using chopsticks is explained:

Finally, this last video explains how to pick up rice with chopsticks:

Asia's top amusement parks

Should you be visiting Asia for pleasure or you are based in the region with your family, a recent article on Forbes.com that listed Asia's top amusement parks is well worth reading. According to Forbes, the following are Asia's top theme parks based on attendance figures:

1. Universal Studios in Singapore
2. Everland in Seoul
3. Ocean Park in Hong Kong
4. Happy Valley in Shenzhen
5. Sea World Gold Coast, Queensland
6. Sunway Lagoon in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia)
7. Essel World in Mumbai
8. Disneyland in Tokyo
9. Dunia Fantasi in Jakarta
10. Lac Cahn Dai Nam Van Hien in Ho Chi Minh City
11. Siam Park City in Bangkok
12. Janfusun Fancyworld in Douliu (Taiwan)

However, don’t expect to have any of the above theme parks to yourself during a visit as according to the article, members of Asia’s growing and increasingly affluent middle class are flooding these 12 popular theme park destinations. In fact, it was noted that PricewaterhouseCoopers has predicted that Asia’s amusement park market will be worth nearly US$8.5 billion by 2012 - up from US$6.4 billion in 2007.

Useful video to learn some basic Japanese survival phrases

Should you be visiting Japan soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some Japanese. In this video, you will learn the following useful Japanese survival words:

Hello - Konnichiwa

Goodbye - Sayonara

How are you? - Ogenki desu ka

Very well, and you? - Genki desu anata wa?

Thank you - Arigato

You're welcome - Do itashimashite

Do you speak English? - Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?

What is your name? - O namae wa nan desu ka?

Excuse me - Sumimasen

Where is the bathroom? - Ote arai wa dochira desu ka

Knowing the above Japanese phrases will make even a short trip to Japan much more easier!

The top 10 destinations to celebrate Chinese New Year in

The year of the Tiger is upon us and in case you are not in China and still want to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Travelfront has recently posted an article listing the top 10 places to celebrate Chinese New Year and some of these places may surprise you. According to the article, the top 10 Chinese New Year destinations are:

1. Singapore: If you are not in China, this cosmopolitan Chinese city state is by far the best place to ring in the New Year complete complete with fireworks, music and the “Parade of Dreams.”
2. Sydney, Australia: Sydney boosts the largest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside of Asia with over 600,000 people, including Jackie Chan, celebrating it in 2009. Celebrations this year will also include a Chinese New Year Twilight Parade.
3. London, UK: If you are in the UK, Leicester Square, China Town and Trafalqar Square are the places to be and expect to see plenty of fireworks, lion dances and much more.
4. Paris, France: On the continent, millions of people will watch the parade of dragons, dancers and musicians who will parade through the streets of Paris.
5. Helsinki, Finland: You may be surprised to learn that there is a Chinese community in Helsinki who will put on a show with plenty of fireworks and live performances.
6. Los Angeles: The Lunar New Year has been celebrated in Los Angeles for some 110 years and the Golden Dragon Parade will attract will over 100,000 people this year.
7. Hong Kong: Another place to be, Hong Kong will celebrate the Lunar New Year with plenty of tradition – including gift giving.
8. San Francisco: Since after the Gold Rush years, the South-West Airlines Chinese New Year Parade has been a San Francisco tradition that now attracts 100,000s of visitors to the city. 
9. New York City: Celebrations in New York will include a Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival in Columbus Park and the 11th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival.
10. Numerous Places in UK: Major UK cities such as Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Kent, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh will also put on their own Chinese New Year celebrations to match those of London and anywhere else in the world for that matter.

As an added bonus this year, the celebration of Chinese New Year will also include Valentine’s Day as well.

Price comparison: A Tiffany diamond ring

Valentine’s day is this weekend and perhaps you have considered buying something very special for someone. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for Tiffany diamond rings in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in Tokyo – in fact, by several thousand dollars compared to the next highest priced city. However, prices were considerably lower in other Asian cities, some European cities and in New York.

Price Comparison*

Tokyo	2,600,000 Yen	US$29,200
Rome	€16,085	US$22,146
Paris	€15,205	US$20,934
Sydney	A$23,700	US$20,769
London	€12,800	US$20,077
Hong Kong	HK$136,000	US$17,506
Brussels	€12,200	US$16,797
Manila	775,000	US$16,717
Frankfurt	€11,800	US$16,246
New York	US$16,100	US$16,100

* A brilliant-cut, one-carat round diamond (VS1 clarity, E color) set in platinum. Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of Feb 10, 2010.

The most livable cities in the world

Once again, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released its rankings of the world’s most livable cities and to no-one’s surprise, a couple of Australian cities made the top 10 along with a couple of Canadian ones (However, I am not sure how many readers want to be in those Canadian cities during winter time!). According to the EIU, the following are the top 10 most liveable cities as ranked by The Economist:

1. Vancouver, Canada
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Melbourne, Australia
4. Toronto, Canada
5. Calgary, Canada
6. Helsinki, Finland
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Perth, Australia
9. Adelaide, Australia
10. Auckland, New Zealand

Meanwhile and to no-one’s surprise, the bottom 10 cities included some of the usual suspects:

1. Harare, Zimbabwe
2. Dhaka, Bangladesh
3. Algiers , Algeria
4. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
5. Lagos, Nigeria
6. Karachi, Pakistan
7. Douala, Cameroon
8. Kathmandu, Nepal
9. Colombo, Sri Lanka
10. Dakar, Senegal

The survey had ranked 140 cities on 30 factors that include healthcare, culture and environment, and education and personal safety and these rankings are often used by employers when assigning hardship allowances as part of expatriate relocation packages.

The top 10 Valentine’s Day destinations in Asia

Valentine’s Day is almost here and in case you are living in the Asia-Pacific region and you are wondering where you should go for a quick romantic escape, MyDearValentine.com has posted the Top 10 romantic destinations in Asia Pacific. According to them, these romantic destinations include:

• Malaysia – Picturesque coasts, mountaintop vistas and great cuisine.
• Bangkok - Boat rides amidst the canals of the city.
• Maldives - Coral islands with white sand beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling.
• Tokyo – Plenty of historical attractions, beauty and culture.
• Taipei – Rich Chinese history and culture combined with awesome scenic beauty.
• Bali - Sunny beaches, expansive rice fields and beautiful natural scenery.
• Singapore – Everything you would expect of a cosmopolitan city from museums and temples to chic pubs, elegant eateries and plush shopping malls.
• Gangwon – One of Korea’s most colorful destinations.
• Hong Kong – Spectacular natural and manmade scenery, elegant shops and malls and plenty of entertainment.

Of course, Valentine’s Day this year also happens to fall on the same weekend as Chinese New Year and hence, some of the destinations above may not be as viable this time around!

Useful video to learn some basic Mandarin survival phrases

Should you be visiting China soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some Mandarin. In this video, you will learn the following useful Mandarin survival words:

1. Hello - Nin hao
2. Goodbye - Zai jian
3. How are you? - Nin hao ma?
4. Thank you - Xie xie
5. You're welcome - Bu ke qi
6. What is your name? - Zen me cheng hu nin?
7. Do you speak English? - nin hui shuo ying yu ma?
8. Excuse me - Dui bu qi
9. Where is the bathroom? - Xi shou jian zen me zou?

Knowing the above Mandarin phrases will make even a short trip to China much more easier!

Top 10 destinations for 2010

US based travel company Gate 1 Travel has recently come up with a list of what it believes will be the top holiday destinations for 2010. Their top picks:

1. Italy
2. Egypt
3. Greece
4. Turkey
5. Peru
6. Oberammergau, Germany
7. Israel/Jordan
8. China
9. India
10. Costa Rica

For China, Gate 1 Travel suggested visiting the Great Wall, Beijing’s famed Temple of Heaven, the ancient city of Xian which is home to the Terracotta Army and of course Shanghai which will host the World Expo this year. For India, Gate 1 Travel suggested visiting Delhi to see Hindu Temples and Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest free-standing brick minaret, and of course no trip to India would be complete without stopping in Agra – the home of the Taj Mahal.

Meanwhile and late last year, Lonely Planet named its top 10 holiday destinations for 2010 as the following:

1. El Salvador
2. Germany
3. Greece
4. Malaysia
5. Morocco
6. Nepal
7. New Zealand
8. Portugal
9. Suriname
10. The USA

For Malaysia, Lonely Planet suggested visiting both cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur as well as the wilds of Borneo and pointed out that Malaysia has everything, including beaches, coral reefs, shopping malls and plenty of delicious food from India, China and from throughout the region. For Nepal, Lonely Planet naturally suggested trekking in the Himalayas – a trip that will stay with you a lifetime.

Price comparison: Winter Olympics tour packages

In a couple of weeks, the Winter Olympics will begin in Vancouver. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of Olympics tour packages in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in European cities and lowest in Asian cities. However, the tour packages from Asian cities did not include a ticket to the opening ceremonies which, along with the shorter distances, contributed to the lower prices.

Price Comparison*

London	8,696 Pounds	US$13,909
Brussels	€7,870	US$10,988
Frankfurt	€6,925	US$9,688
Paris	€6,215	US$8,677
Rome	€5,472	US$7,639
Tokyo	586,830 Yen	US$6,484
Hong Kong	HK$36,808	US$4,733

* Package includes round-trip business-class ticket to Vancouver plus two nights in a four star hotel (February 11 - 13; per person, double occupancy). Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of February 3, 2010.

Dress codes for China

If you are traveling to China, you may be wondering how to dress appropriately and how the dress code in China compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Dress Code Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for how to dress appropriately in a number of countries around the world.

According to the guide, dress codes for meetings in China consists largely of homogenous suits and ties – no matter what the weather conditions are outside. Businesswomen will tend to go without makeup and jewelry while everyone in general tries to shy away from conspicuous consumption in order to demonstrate that they are focused on business.

On the street, the arms, chest and back should remain covered and women generally dress conservatively. However, dressing unconventionally will not offend anyone so long as one presents him or herself in the best light. Moreover, Chinese women will tend to not wear any footwear without straps as such foot wear will reveal to much of the foot and have a tendency to resemble flip flops – which are seen as cheap.

And finally, party goers should be aware that exaggerated styles and silhouettes monochromatic palettes by Comme des Garçons, Martin Margiela, and Yohji Yamamoto are now considered to be hot.

Beijing travel videos from Lonely Planet

As the capital of the most populous country in the world that is also one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Beijing has plenty of sites to offer both tourists and business travelers with extra time on their hands. In this Lonely Planet video made just before the Olympics, Eilis Quinn explores both the modern and traditional side of Beijing:

In this second video produced for Lonely Planet, the sites around Beijing are explored. This includes the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Lao Shan Mountain Biking Area:

In this final but very short video from Lonely Planet, Michael Kohn offers a quick snapshot of Beijing’s nightlife – including a visit to the night markets for some deep fried scorpion:

Price comparison: Glenfiddich 30-year-old Scotch-Whisky

Founded in 1886, the Glenfiddich Distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in Dufftown, Scotland. Glenfiddich whisky is bottled at ages of 12, 15, 18, 21 and 30 years old (but the distillery has also bottled a number of rare whiskies 40, 50 or more years old). Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a 750ml bottle of Glenfiddich 30-year-old Scotch-Whisky in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in major cities in Asia except for Tokyo where prices were actually the lowest of all cities surveyed.

Price Comparison*

Singapore	S$773	US$551
Hong Kong	HK$3,919	US$504
Shanghai	3,038 Yuan	US$445
Rome	€279	US$393
London	219 Pounds	US$353
Frankfurt	€232	US$327
New York City	US$317	US$317
Manila	14,500 Pesos	US$311
Paris	€209	US$294
Brussels	€205	US$289
Tokyo	23,183 Yen	US$260

* 750 ml bottle of Scotch-Whiskey. Prices based upon exchange rates as of January 27, 2010.

Transportation options in Mumbai videos

Mumbai is a huge and sprawling city but luckily there are various transportation options available to both visitors and residents alike to consider. This first Geobeats video gives an overview of the various public transportation options available in Mumbai:

However and as with cities everywhere, its easy to be taken for a ride by a taxi driver in Mumbai. Hence, this second Geobeats video will give you some useful tips for dealing with local cabbies:

Price comparison: A duplicate room key

The Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for having duplicate room key in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in Europe and generally lowest (only a few cents) in Asia.

Price Comparison*

Frankfurt	€7	US$9.96
Brussels	€6.5	US$9.25
London	5.50 Pounds	US$8.98
Paris	€4	US$5.69
Rome	€3	US$4.27
Hong Kong	HK$22	US$2.83
Jakarta	23,333 Rupiahs	US$2.52
Bangkok	75 Baht	US$2.28
Singapore	S$3	US$2.15
New York City	US$1.70	US$1.70
Kuala Lumpur	2.50 Ringgit	US$0.75
Shanghai	5 Yuan	US$0.73
Manila	65 Pesos	US$0.30

* Prices based upon exchange rates as of January 20, 2010.

International Living’s 2010 Quality of Life Index

International Living magazine’s 30th Quality of Life Index has surveyed almost 200 countries across nine categories that include cost of living, culture/leisure, environment and safety/risk and here are the countries who topped out the list:

1. France
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. Germany
5. New Zealand
6. Luxembourg
7. United States
8. Belgium
9. Canada
10. Italy

France kept the top spot for the fifth year in a row while Australia jumped from fifth to second place due to the strength of its economic recovery. On the other hand, the USA dropped from third to seventh place due to the perception that the American dream is increasingly out of reach for many.

However, International Living also freely admits that they have a strong Western bias as the highest ranked Asia country (Japan) only comes in at 36th place.

Price comparison: Ice skating

While ice skating is a popular winter activity in northern latitudes, ice skating rings can increasingly be found all over the world – even in cities located in the tropics or in the desert. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for 2 hours of ice skating with skate rentals in various cities in Asia and around the world. Surprisingly, the survey found that prices were highest in (icy) London and other European cities and lowest in Asia. In fact, prices in London, the highest price city, were about US$35.56 while prices in Kuala Lumpur were only about US$3.88. In other words and if you are in London, skate outdoors and if it is summer, wait until winter!

Price Comparison*

London	22 Pounds	US$35.56
Rome	€16	US$23.16
New York City	US$19.13	US$19.13
Brussels	€12	US$17.37
Paris	€10	US$14.48
Frankfurt	€9.5	US$13.75
Singapore	S$18	US$12.59
Shanghai	58 Yuan	US$8.54
Bangkok	250 Baht	US$7.56
Manila	300 Pesos	US$6.55
Hong Kong	HK$50	US$6.45
Jakarta	42,000 Rupiahs	US$4.58
Kuala Lumpur	13 Ringgit	US$3.88

* For two hours and includes skate rentals. Prices based upon exchange rates as of January 13, 2010.

Dress codes in Japan

If you are traveling to Japan, you may be wondering how to dress appropriately and how the dress code in Japan compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Dress Code Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for how to dress appropriately in a number of countries around the world.

According to the guide, the Japanese word for a dress shirt is “wai shatsu” which literally comes from the English word “white shirt.” This in and of itself should give you an idea of the range of colors worn in the Japanese workplace. And although the Japanese government has launched a Cool Biz initiative that is intended to lower the cost of air condition, the initiative has largely been met with resistance.

On the other hand and on the street, nothing is considered “over-the-top” while the casual (aka sloppy) American look is generally not acceptable. Hence, men should be clean shaven and spend time on their hair while women should be seen wearing makeup, heels and plenty of frills.

And should you be attending a party, remember that the Japanese love labels like Agnès B. and Louis Vuitton while stylish designs by local designers like Yohji Yamamoto are also popular.

And remember: Japanese sizes tend to be significantly smaller than their counterparts in the USA. In other words, someone who needs a medium in the USA might need to wear an extra large in Japan.

Price comparison: IMAX movie tickets

IMAX films and IMAX theaters are increasingly a part of every avid movie watcher’s life. In fact and as of 2009, there were some 320 IMAX theatres in 42 countries around the world.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for an IMAX movie ticket in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in London followed by Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai. However, prices in Manila, Singapore and Jakarta were anywhere from half to a quarter of the price of tickets in the most expensive cities for tickets.

Price Comparison*

London	14 Pounds	US$21.58
Hong Kong	HK$158	US$19.99
Tokyo	1,800 Yen	US$19.58
Shanghai	123 Yuan	US$18.06
Paris	€11	US$15.08
New York City	US$14.50	US$14.50
Frankfurt	€9	US$12.93
Seoul	13,500 Won	US$11.84
Bangkok	350 Baht	US$10.56
Manila	400 Pesos	US$8.71
Singapore	S$10	US$7.16
Jakarta	50,000 Rupiahs	US$5.37

* Prices based upon exchange rates as of January 6, 2010.

The odds of a terrorist attack on a commercial airliner

Here is an interesting and reassuring piece of trivia (courtesy of Gizmodo): The odds of a terrorist attack on a commercial airliner.

Useful videos to help learn basic Thai phrases

Should you be visiting Thailand soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some of the Thai language. In this first video, you will learn 10 useful Thai survival words:

In this second video, several important Thai words related to safety are covered:

Finally, this third video covers how to give directions in Thai:

Dress codes in Singapore

If you are traveling to Singapore, you may be wondering how to dress appropriately and how the dress code in Singapore compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Dress Code Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for how to dress appropriately in a number of countries around the world.

According to the guide, the dress code for business meetings in Singapore is actually super casual. Ties are rarely worn and jackets aren’t required while both men and women wear oxfords and slacks. For women, the wearing of trendy peg-leg pants is considered acceptable.

On the street, 20 to 30 years olds can be found wearing hot pants or board shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. Polo shirts by well known designers and anything from casual mass-market stores are also worn.

And finally, upper class party goers usually sport brand name items with women being known for collecting Hermès bags and wearing their hems high while men wear designer jeans such as G–Star Raw and Dr. Denim.

Price comparison: Moleskine desk calendar

Since 1997, Moleskine has offered an assortment of notebooks, diaries, and city guides as companions for creative professionals – especially those who travel. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Moleskine desk calendars in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices varied considerably with Brussels having the highest price, New York the lowest and most Asia cities having prices somewhere in the middle.
Price Comparison*

Brussels	€27	US$39.25
Frankfurt	€25	US$36.34
Shanghai	248 Yuan	US$36.32
Bangkok	970 Baht	US$29.24
Singapore	S$41	US$29.33
Kuala Lumpur	99 Ringgit	US$28.89
Rome	€20	US$28.35
Paris	€19	US$27.64
London	16 Pounds	US$25.98
Hong Kong	HK$198	US$25.53
New York	US$21.60	US$21.60

* For 2010. Prices based upon exchange rates as of December 16, 2009.

Dress codes in Indonesia

If you are traveling to Indonesia, you may be wondering how to dress appropriately and how the dress code in Indonesia compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Dress Code Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for how to dress appropriately in a number of countries around the world.

According to the guide, ties are not seen during meetings in Indonesia as modesty is considered important to Indonesian moguls. Instead, they wear batik button-downs with khaki pants and closed shoes. On the other hand, women have ponytails and wear plain dresses with long sleeves, lipstick and blush. However, notable jewelry is left at home. 

On the street, flip-flops are not seen. Instead, wear heel-covering sandals, sneakers or ballet flats paired with Levi's or Lee jeans. In addition, wear a shirt with a collar as a sign of respect.

At parties, men usually wear khakis instead of jeans and sneakers instead of loafers while cotton is not considered formal enough to wear out for a night on the town. Instead, choose synthetics in vibrant prints. Moreover, women need not wear heels as Indonesian men are typically five feet two inches tall and Indonesian women average four feet ten inches in height.

And remember, Indonesians are very modest. Hence, nude bathing at the beach or in rural areas (i.e. seemingly secluded rivers or lakes) is a bad idea.

Mumbai travel related videos

Mumbai is one of the most progressive and modern of India’s city but it is also a place filled with contradictions such as ultra-hip restaurants and clubs sitting along side some of the largest slums in the world. Hence and should you be visiting Mumbai soon, this Geobeats video provides a good overview of what Mumbai is all about:

Some of the finest Victorian architecture in the world can be found in Mumbai and this second Geobeats video gives a good overview of it:

Finally, this last Geobeats video will help visitors and would-be residents a good overview of Mumbai’s different neighborhoods:

Price comparison: Christian Dior lady’s wallet

Christian Dior along with its competitors Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Versace and Prada is one of the best known names in luxury retail and fashion. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Christian Dior lady’s wallet in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were actually highest in Asia and lowest in Europe and North America. However, we assume that these prices are for an authentic Christian Dior lady’s wallet.

Price Comparison*

Shanghai	5,500 Yuan	US$805
Jakarta	7.3 Million Rupiahs	US$774
Singapore	S$980	US$703
Bangkok	23,000 Baht	US$693
Kuala Lumpur	2,260 Ringgit	US$664
Hong Kong	HK$5,100	US$658
Brussels	€445	US$656
Rome	€420	US$619
Paris	€400	US$589
London	360 Pounds	US$585
New York	US$574	US$574

* Prices based upon exchange rates as of December 9, 2009.

The world's weirdest travel gadgets

For the discerning traveler, there are more than a few quirky travel products on the market. Hence, Travel+Leisure magazine has recently compiled a list of what they describe to be some the wierdest travel gadgets currently available. These gadgets include:

• Travel Bidet from Skymall.com for US$44.95.
• Metal-Detecting Sandals from Hammacher.com for US$59.95.
• Touchscreen Cell Phone Watch from Hammacher.com for US$199.95.
• Self-Propelled Suitcase from Hammacher.com for US$1,300.
• Pickpocket Alarm from Amazon.com for US$14.99.
• Banana Protector from Lazyboneuk.com for US$6.50.
• Movie-Screen Eyeglasses from Skymall.com for US$179.95.
• Disinfection Scanner from Skymall.com for US$59.99.
• Huge Swiss Army Knife from Hammacher.com for US$1,400.
• Personal Seat Protector from Surefit.net for US$14.99.

As you can see, some of the above products are more useful (the pickpocket alarm) than others (metal-detecting sandals?). However, I tend to agree with the writer who noted at the end of the article that “it’s possible that many of these items will one day be as widespread as the once-oddball toaster, but we wouldn’t bet on it.”

Top 10 travel safety tips for women

Travelers and female travelers in particular always need to be mindful of safety. Hence, a recent post containing safety tips for female travelers by woman road warrior Carol Margolis on SmartWomenTravelers.com is well worth reading. Her top 10 tips (which she goes into much more detail about in her post) include:

1. Always have your rental car key in your hands before heading out to your car.

2. As you are walking to your car, act as if you are talking with someone on your cell phone, even if you are not. 

3. When nearing your hotel late at night, phone ahead and ask for an escort to meet you at the main door.

4. Place maps, car rental agreements, GPS systems and anything else that marks you as a tourist into the car’s glove compartment or your bag so it is not visible.

5. Keep key information in your cell phone.

6. Request room locations that are more secure.

7. Upon entering your room, do not use the double bolt until you have checked that there are no unwanted visitors in your room.

8. Upon entering a hotel elevator, stand near the controls so that you have access to the Emergency button, if needed.

9. Have identification on you at all times.

10. For international travel, dress like a local.

In addition, Carol’s post has also included a helpful list of items for women to keep in their purses or laptop bag that could also save your life when traveling. Hence, her post is well worth reading by any woman who travels on a regular basis.