Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

An Especially Untimely Visit to Bangkok during the Floods of '11. Photo by Author.

The mistake of visiting Southeast Asia during monsoon season or Northern Europe during winter is one that you only make once. You may not even realize just how much the weather can affect a vacation until you make a serious misjudgment. Traveling during unfavorable times of year can affect anything from opening hours to availability to comfort, but there are some advantages to visiting during the down season. Before you travel next, at least check this list, then check the weather to make sure you’ll get what you’re looking for from your vacation:

• Stuck in the Hotel Room - In some countries, the changes in season are so severe that even the locals head to the hills (or the beach) for some refuge. Be sure to check online for drastic weather conditions in the country you’ll be visiting to ensure that you time it right.
• Is Anybody Home? - Certain countries take what seems like a nationwide vacation during the “bad” seasons of the year. If you visit Spain in August, you can expect the majority of stores to be vacant or the hours of operation to be cut short so the vendors can escape the heat. Check in advance that the activities you want to do are actually available during the time you plan to travel.
• The Jumbo Suitcase - Traveling light is an amazing thing. The first time you travel with JUST a 10kg bag for your week long vacation, you might never lug a huge bag again. However, weather conditions mean the difference between packing winter parkas & rain boots -vs- tank tops & flip flops. If you want to pack light, it’s best to travel during times where no jacket is required!
• Your Crystal Ball – Check out BestTimetoGo.com for comprehensive advice about… well… the best time to go to your vacation spot.
• Finally… forget all my other advice - There is a good part about traveling during “unfavorable” times of year. NO tourists. Imagine yourself wandering alone through world wonders that are normally packed. Sure, you may be covered to your knees in mud, sweating profusely or unable to feel your toes, but it’s still kind of awesome.

Ever been trapped in a tropical storm or caught underdressed in a blizzard? Tell us about your most ridiculous weather story from your travels in the comments below or on Facebook! (Can’t access the comments? Click here for a link to the full story: The Highs & Lows of Traveling with the Weather)

Image Provided by Flickr user Nick Ares

Ok, you know the feeling. You’re sleeping, probably having great dreams about skipping through lavender fields, puppies, and Ryan Gosling as your own personal cabana boy (wait sorry that’s just me). Then slowly the sunlight hits your eyelids and you’re jerked away from your state of bliss – and into a state of panic. Your heart drops as you reach for your phone to realize – it happened – you missed your flight.

Groannnnn… (insert every curse word you know)

And it’s not as if you are making a solid attempt to be there, ie: running for the gate “Home Alone“ style, boarding pass in hand screaming “I’m coming” as your name is being called out over the intercom.

No.

You are in bed while the plane you should be on is flying over Nebraska. Why Nebraska? Because this literally just happened to me. I was visiting a friend and we BOTH over slept!!!! I didn’t barely miss my flight, I full on missed it. What was the result? I dished out over $200 to get back to CO so I could make it to work on time that night.

Not cool.

So here’s my advice:

1)   DON’T MISS YOUR FLIGHT! Just kidding – but really, don’t do it. Set two alarms if you have them.

2)   Accept It – It happened, it’s annoying, but get your head together, you have somewhere to go.

3)   Act quickly – Get on the phone with an airline rep and know your options. Some airlines will give you a 2-hour grace period if you have had car issues – ie: flat tire, broken down, etc. The next flight out might be 30 minutes away and the one after that might require an overnight stay.

4)   Be Patient – The airline rep wants to help and is trying his or her best to get you on a plane, so be NICE.

5)   Understand – If you booked your flight through a service like bobscheapflights.com, a low-cost european airline, one time charter flight deal, etc, you’re probably going to have to just suck it up and pay for a new flight.

6)   Accept It – Yes, I know that I already said it but it’s true. Flip the situation and choose to see it as a vacation extension.

7) Think Outside the Box – If time is of the essence and there are no more flights out or it’s ludicrously expensive, don’t forget to check into trains, buses, car rentals, ride sharing websites, ferry boats, etc.

We’ve all missed flights before and every situation is different. At the time it can be frustrating but on the positive side, there’s always a good story to tell. What did you do? Do you have a funny story to share? Tell us about it in the comments below! (Click here if you can’t see comments: You Missed Your Flight – Now What?)

Image Provided by Flickr Nesster

Despite the fact that it’s still summer and the impended changing of the weather makes me grumble, I can’t stop thinking about my favorite month! Can you guess which one?

October!!! Why? Halloween obviously!

1. I love a good scary movie, not gory though – I liked to spooked, not grossed out.
2. I love a good ghost story.
3. I love feeling like maybe I should sleep with the lights on because I am so scared – You feel me?

This year I think I am finally going to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time. . . A haunted tour – of sorts.

What it will consist of I am not really sure yet. Here are some ideas. . .

•  Stay in a haunted hotel
• Visit a haunted asylum/hospital (is this even an option?)
• Creepy forests
• Famous crime scenes (morbid I know but still intriguing)

Ok so the list is small. . . but I will not be discouraged!

So now I am going to ask you to help me out.

• What would you do?
• Have you done anything related to this?
• Do you have any suggestions for me?

I have about 3 months to plan an epic fright fest!!! So give your girl a hand and leave your suggestion and stories in the comments below. I promise there will be photos and blatant honesty. Mad props if your suggestion(s) scare me to the point of tears…

BRING IT ON

Provided by playpianoking

Oh Smokey the Bear, how I mocked you as a child. You made it so easy for me and my friends to twist your words into something inappropriate.

This, however, is no joking matter.

Having grown up in New Mexico, I know what it’s like to live in a dry climate. Colorado can be much the same. And unfortunately, this year is one for the books.

Our gorgeous state is in a state of emergency. There are currently fires in Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Boulder.

• 32,00 People were evacuated in El Paso County near Colorado Springs as the fire came down Waldo Canyon.
• Flagstaff fire is about 1.5 miles from the Boulder city limits.
• 90,000 acres have been swallowed up by the The High Park fire in the Fort Collins area. With containment not expected for TILL JULY 30^TH!

We haven’t had any rain, we have extreme temperatures (reaching 106 in the Denver metro area), and high winds. All of these things equal disaster.

So what can we do?

• The Denver Post has provided resources and information on how we can all help in all 3 areas.
• Here is a full list of county bans and restrictions.
• There is a ban on all private fireworks.
• You can only have a campfire if it is in a developed campsite with a metal fire ring.
• DO NOT, I repeat, do not smoke outside!!!!

Fires can happen anywhere. Caution should be exercised everywhere you go. If you are unsure of what preventative measures to take our old friend Smokey the Bear is here to lend a helping hand.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Do you have any updates on the situation? Can you provide any tips on how to prevent fires? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo by Joe Mazzola

Yes, I’m crazy. Well, maybe not certifiably; but unhinged enough to think I can and should take my kids lots of places. Whether by plane, minivan, train or rental vehicle, I think it’s my duty to show my kids our world. From the get go I take them anywhere and everywhere I can to show them places that will give them a greater understanding of our world. I take them to places close to home, places dear to my heart and places that spark that spirit of adventure and wonder that lives deep in my soul.

People often ask me, “You took your kids WHERE?” and more often than not the answer is, “Yes!” The follow up question is almost always “How do you travel with small kids?” Well, dear friends, I’m going to share with you a couple of my tips. My top 5 to be almost exact. It actually takes more than just 5 tips to travel with small children. I would love to share with you all of my travel tips that I’ve accumulated through the years but here are 5 (or so) as an appetizer.

1. SNACKS – LOTS AND LOTS OF SNACKS – I’m talking enough to sustain a small village for a while. I’m also taking about the “good stuff.” Now is not the time to scrimp on the snacks. Bring the stuff they love, the stuff you don’t buy on a regular basis, the stuff they beg for in the market. We had a flight delay and a subsequent rerouting once that left us in an airport after all the retail shops had closed. I’ve never been so grateful for a stash of goldfish, skittles and bottled water in all my life.

2. ENTERTAINMENT – KEEP ‘EM BUSY. Get them something they’ve never seen before and it can be as simple as post it notes. An airline tray table and a package of post it notes can provide loads of entertainment. Kids can stick and unstuck those crazy fluorescent squares for quite a while. They can make patterns if you have multiple colors and when all of that fun is done – draw on them, make a picture that spans multiple post-its and BAM you have a puzzle for a toddler.

3. BE PREPARED – have extra everything – especially diapers. I repeat, always have extra diapers if you have a child that small. Once they became a bartering item, a currency if you will, on a trip when a flight of ours got cancelled leaving us stranded in Washington DC with 2 kids past bedtime. I traded diapers and wipes with a woman for jarred baby food. Her baby smelled and mine was hungry – problem solved.

4. KNOW YOUR GAME PLAN WHEN YOU ARRIVE – give the kids something to anticipate. My kiddos have always been thrilled at the prospect of scoping out their destination. We dream of what we will see and how we will see it. One easy way to get them excited is a ride in a motorcoach, train, trolley car, gondola or something that they normally don’t see in your own garage. One of my girls still talks about the trolley tour she took in Zurich. We loved feeling the fresh air in our faces in the open-aired trolley and learned a little about the city and its people. Ok, my husband and I learned about the city and its people – she tried to figure out how many pets she could spot.

5. PREPARE FOR THE WORST….HOPE FOR THE BEST – I always bring along current shot records and medical info from their last check up along with a small first aid kit with Tylenol, Motrin, a thermometer, band aids, Neosporin, etc. and a correct dosing chart for any and all medication per kid. Luckily, I have rarely had to use the kit. I think that’s because I have it with me at all times. The token trip I didn’t take it on, we ended up in a doctor’s office nearly 1,000 miles from home.

Ok so I promised 5 tips but I couldn’t stop at 5 so here’s a bonus one and arguably the most important:

6. HUMOR – if you don’t take along a large and healthy dose of humor you might as well stay home. Some of the best laughs of my marriage and my family have happened when we travel. How else could I have a photo like this one….

Author's Child Entering The Great State of Nebraska

What are your great travel tips with kids? Share your tips and tricks in comments below.

Photo by John Cooke

If you happen to know the way to Sante Fe, New Mexico, you may want to head there. And I’m talking ASAP. An 80 year old Vietnam veteran and former art gallery owner named Forest Fenn has buried a hidden treasure chest near Sante Fe that is estimated to be worth between $1-2 Million USD.

Here’s the catch. You have to find the treasure. That’s the complicated part and it has proved elusive for many. There are entire blogs, facebook pages and social media groups dedicated to finding this treasure and so far no one has found it. The treasure,  rumored to contain gold, jewelry and artifacts, is buried in the mountains near Sante Fe and Mr. Fenn is not talking. Actually he IS talking, but the talking he is doing is more code filled clues. The clues are found in the form of a book he authored and poetry he has written. So, if you are a super detective, clever and an adventurer, this rich treasure trove could be yours. So what are you waiting for?

Would you go in search of buried treasure? Have you ever gone on an adventure of unknown outcome? Do tell! (If you can’t see the Facebook comments section, click here: Do You Know the Way to… Santa Fe?)

Not so fast...

Your trip has been planned for months. You’re finally at the airport counter, placing your suitcase on the scale (48.4 lbs!), and the ticket attendant requests your boarding passes. “No problem, got them right here.” She grabs the passes, starts typing away on her computer, and then asks you for your passport. You reach into your purse and slap that little blue freedom booklet on the counter with a smile.

Please, for your sake, your spouse’s sake, your friend’s sake, and your sanity’s sake, be prepared. Find out what travel documents you will need to show as soon as you start planning your trip. Research whether you will need a passport, a travel visa, a birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, or all of the above.

If you are traveling internationally from the US by air, land, or sea, a passport will be required. There are a few limited exceptions, but as with most things in life, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. First-time applicants can obtain a passport for around $135.00 US, and receive it in the mail in about 4-6 weeks. Expedited options are available as well for an additional fee.

One important rule to note is that passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the last date of travel. This means that if you are, for example, traveling in June and your passport expires in August, you will still need to get it renewed. If you have a passport, go dig it out right NOW and check the expiration date.  If it needs to be renewed, go ahead and get it over with. It’s a simple process and can be done for around $110.00 US. Plus, you’ll need every penny you’ve got come vacation time so get it out of the way now!

Don’t be that person that shows up at the airport and can’t board the plane because you don’t have the necessary documents! You’d hate for your friends and family to go without you.

This happened to a friend recently and right at the airport, not willing to leave the family member behind, they had to change their entire family trip to visit Puerto Rico instead of Cancun. It was an extremely stressful and expensive last minute change that could have been prevented with a little planning.

Please take a minute of your time and Click Here for more information on Passport and Visa requirements. You’ll be glad you did.

Share your Passport/Visa horror stories or tips with us in the comments. (click here to see Facebook comments if you can’t already)

If you’ll forgive me one brief Twilight Zone reference, for some people, the thought of flying is actually more terrifying than the monster on the wing.  If you ever need to leave your neighborhood and unless endless bus rides or cousin Eddie-style RV trips are on your fun list (you show me that list, I show you a liar), conquering that fear of flying is most likely in your best interest. Luckily, this non-medically-endorsed, completely unofficial, and in no way responsible for your decisions blogger has compiled a short list of tips for the un-terrified traveler:

1)   Make yourself comfortable. Often stress results from an unfamiliar situation. Lose all inhibition, forget the comfort of your neighbors, flight attendants and pilots, and do what you need to do, sister. Gnarly flannel nightgown? Sure. Massive body pillow for snuggling? Why not. Your new mantra: keeping it comfy keeps it sane.

2)   The more you know (thanks late 90’s NBC Saturday morning teen programming). Check out every book the library has on flight. Actually more realistically, read every article and blog post the internet has on flight. Once you’ve reached the end of the interwebs, you’ll know all the ins and outs of flight physics—and knowing exactly how you’re staying up might just help.

3)   Pharma-snooze-ticals. Again, massive disclaimer, neither myself, this blog, or any affiliates thereof hold any actual medical certifications, so you’re on your own with this one. But seriously, anti-anxiety and sleeping medications were divinely ordained for just such scenarios as white-knuckled trans-Atlantic flights. Get you some.

You’ve spent months preparing for your holiday on the tropical sands of some idyllic place. Your expectations are as high as Cheech and Chong and Harold and Kumar combined, and you’ve even trimmed your chest hair to look good on the beach. As you drive to the airport clad in your knock-off Armani sunglasses, everything seems in place. But then life kicks in and things start to go horribly wrong.

Plane Delays

Your holiday disaster starts with news that a random volcano in some faraway land is spitting up ash balls the size of a small country. Apart from the odd daredevil, pilots like to see where they are going – and this can be difficult when the sky has become a giant urn. At this stage you are still excited, so you sink into an uncomfortable airport chair and read, while waiting for your delayed flight.

Rain

Having spent 48 hours with your carry-on luggage tied to your leg, you arrive at your holiday destination to the worst rainstorm in 4 centuries. You suddenly wish that you had spent your clothing budget on an umbrella, but all you have is an Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt that starts to leak color as soon as the rain hits it. On the bright side, at least the rain conceals the tears that are already starting to stream down your cheeks.

Being Robbed

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, they do. While you are trying to flag down a taxi, you feel a tug on your arm. You snap around to see a random person running off with your luggage. You consider running after him, but instead, you simply wave good-bye to Levi, Hugo and Calvin. And the damn rain continues unabated.

Dodgy Police

You approach the front desk and tell the on-duty police-office that you are a victim – a victim of flight delays, bad weather and crime. The police officer laughs at your drenched appearance and jokes with his friends in his native tongue. He eventually asks you to fill out a crime-report affidavit, but you never hear from him again.

Food Poisoning

All this misfortune can create quite an appetite, so you decide to indulge in the offerings of a local street-food vendor. What you don’t realize is that the shop-owner hasn’t cleaned his cooking utensils since the founding of the OCD Awareness Movement back in 1962. You wolf down the meal and venture to your hotel for an afternoon nap. Sometime during this nap, you are woken by a twisting gut. You rush to the bathroom, where you spend the rest of your evening in kneeling devotion to the porcelain god.

After a holiday that made Dante’s Inferno seem like a Disney movie, you return home to share your stories with your friends. When retelling the travel tale, you somehow neglect to mention the horror, which has now been replaced by happy memories of beaches and boat trips.

I guess that’s the thing about traveling – no matter how bad the trip, it’s always better than staying home!

Aren't you happy this isn't your dad?

We’ve tried pointing and laughing. We’ve tried outright mocking. There have even been some instances of physical abuse. But, nothing – not even begging – has successfully dissuaded travelers from wearing fanny packs when they are on the holiday prowl. I write this piece from the philanthropic urges within my human spirit. I don’t know what else to say, except that I want a better world – a world where Bambi runs free, where Xbox is a national sport, and mostly, where we don’t have to look at fanny packs when on vacation. I appeal to your reasoning faculties, and urge you to please put down your fanny pack!

It’s all in the name

For a long time, I could not understand how society had allowed the word fanny to be used as an adjective for describing a satchel. Growing up in South Africa we called fanny packs moon-bags. The word fanny had quite a different meaning and it was considered less than appropriate to point out that a grown man had a fanny (pack). It wasn’t until much later (today) that I discovered the American definition of the word – and I am delighted to inform you that it has nothing to do with the erogenous zones of any creature. Semantics aside, I think we can all agree that wearing something that features the word fanny would not be considered cool in any country – except, perhaps, Japan.

Becoming a target

If you are a reasonable person, then I can presume that you wouldn’t purposefully engage in activities that are dangerous. I can also presume that you understand the importance of exercising caution when visiting a different country. This brings into question the prudence of wearing an item that literally renders you a target in the travel wilderness. Do you know why chameleons successfully survive in the wild? No, it’s not because they can change color – It’s because they don’t wear fanny packs.

If you don’t need it on a normal day, you don’t need it on holiday

There are endless mysteries in the universe: Stonehenge, the pyramids, the Bermuda Triangle and the always-pressing question of what Charlie Sheen’s girlfriend did in the cupboard for a whole weekend. But of all these mysteries, none is more perplexing than the contents of a fanny pack. What is it that the fanny-pack-clad traveler finds necessary to carry around when on holiday? I am confident that their passports are at the hotel, and a Fanny pack isn’t large enough for a Glock. So, what is it that gives the fanny pack its awkward bulge?

If you have any idea what travelers carry in their fanny packs, please let me know. The mystery is interfering with my ability to work, and I would really appreciate someone putting an end to this torture!

Leave your interesting and creative responses below…