Love Train Travel... AMTRAK customer service is BAD

Here is my update of my #Amtrak issues.

#amtrak Ok, we had a great get away the other week, on the way home got hit in the nose by an amtrak object.. Not bad, but I should have had an xray.  I  filled out an incident report. Called Amtrak and have been told.
1. go to your dr. and we will decide if we will cover it.
2. NO ONE had called to ask what happened or see how I am.
3. When I have called. was told, it is 3 or 4 weeks, before I will get a letter. Still waiting to have my nose x-rayed or checked.

4. Got the letter, it is from Medicaid asking to release all medical records and SS records to AMTRAK.( (there is no reason for Amtak to have all medical records.)
5. Called Amtrak, unless I release all records I will not be assigned a person for my case.

So where is Customer Care? As a travel junkie, this has been a shock. A simple incident has escalated due to no care on Amtrak's part. So sad, and angry. They cont. to stone wall me when I ask to have a person assigned. Not until I release all medical records.

see me yell right now..

Heal The World

Here is an amazing song done by the band Maati Baani this is a collaboration. And brings together all that I love about travel.
Heal the World

When we travel and see the world as a whole, we all grow.

AirBnb for culture and a full experience, how to find the right spot.

I am not the only travel writer or person that is in love with AirBnB. We host and are travelers.
As for hosting, our only problem is getting travelers as AirBnB is so popular. Last week , I switched on the can book same day permission.
I got up in the middle of the night and my ipad was blinking. We had a guest coming the next afternoon. Awesome. We keep our two Guests rooms ready, so nothing to do but check the fridge (we offer a light breakie). Anyway, they checked in for two nights and now are staying four. Airbnb makes is very easy to extend a reservation by either party. I do not think they will be booking a fifth night as they do have to fly back to Germany.
Our guests are travelers that enjoy exploring. We are fortunate if we meet them a few times during their trips, I have had the same experience when we are the travelers.
I came across this article about how to find your perfect apartment thru AirBnB. I will write later about how just a small few that book a whole home or apartment have given this a bad name. BUT, in general it is great, you can rent a room, shared room or a whole place to yourself.
Please enjoy this guest article by Stefan: How to Find the Best AirBnB Apartment.

Next up, We are AirBnbing it to Los Angeles (Hollywood) The big challenge is we are not taking our car. We will be there for two nights. Will write about our adventures upon our return.

What to do in a Medical Emergency while away from home.

This is a guest article from Travel Insurance Center. As most of you know, I spent a few years as an actual travel agent. During that time I helped several groups go on tours. Most were from a local church and although not seniors they were not in their 20's. I always encouraged the travelers to purchase travel insurance and Medical travel ins. On a group trip to Italy, the leader actually twisted her ankle and had to be evacuated and brought home via a special seat and with medical assistance. Obviously it was more then a twisted ankle, but the was the start.
She was able to go to the hospital and give them her travel ins. card, they then called the ins. and kept them informed and worked together to co ordinate her early and specialized trip home.
This article is a great overview. What to do in an Emergency Medical Evacuation.


 I do want to mention, for parents of 20somethings out there. "It is worth your child's future to buy the medical insurance when your extreme sports son or daughter is in another country hiking, climbing, jumping or swimming". They may not see the need. Of course not they are in their 20's.. BUT one injury and/ or medical evacuation could put them so far behind financially or as many young people do, they will try to cut corners in their short sighted way to save money. Causing long term problems.

Go Travel and Be Adventurous, BUT pack your backpack with all the needed items.

AirBnB Follow Up.

It has been some time since I wrote about my love for AirBnB. I wanted to do a follow up as we have now hosted our first AirBnB guests ourselves. If you are ever in Carlsbad, Ca. feel free to check us out.
Our AirBnB spot.

Given the name of this blog, my old travel agency and email and twitter handle is Fair Dinkum Travel
I have a very soft spot for AirBnB.

Over time it has grown up a bit and the just hanging out with locals may have changed a bit..because more people are getting better about how to present their homes and it is becoming a big business.
We still love AirBnB and we were so excited to host our first guests.

Where there seems to be problems are:
1. Renting out a whole home. If you are going to do this, I would suggest a vacation property management company.. much easier and less problems.
2. Immediate bookings make me nervous. We have had a few that want to bring children or extra people or have not been verified fully. Having the time to email back and forth creates a relationship before others come into your home.
3. Be clear of the expectations and realize they are paying to be comfortable and relaxed. Although less cost then a hotel, people are still paying for lodging. Lowering your price Never should mean lowering your standards.

What I love:
1. Meeting others that have a sense of adventure and hospitality. Both sides are agreeing to share a home and common spaces.
2. Taking walks thru nieghborhoods and communities and feeling at home. Love the AirBnB commercial about not doing a place but living there. That commercial nails it.
3. Saving $$ and yet going to amazing places and really living there.

Remember we always stay at Bed n Breakfasts and now AirBnB's.. if I go on a business trip, unless I have to stay in a hotel I don't. We do not travel for the hotel experience. If you do, (which is fine) then AirBnB is not for you..
Again, Fair Dinkum Travel means original or genuine travel.. So we want to really immerse ourselves in the culture of where we are and we hope others do the same while staying with us.

Finally: If hosting or guesting.. read the reviews, check out the pictures and make sure they have multiple verifications thru the site. Email with questions and get a feel for the people.
If you are this type of person.. you will love it.

Happy travels

San Diego Fair

This summer I bought the $26 full fair pass. I have been twice and it is so much fun. The reason?? I do not have to rush thru, eat everything in sight and fight the crowds. When our son was growing up we had Disneyland passes. It was the same thing.
So far this year, my recommendations are:
1. in the infield: there is an outdoor area that has horses, butterflies, bees, caterpillars and more. Great area way from the crowds and more reminiscent of the county fairs we think of from days gone by.

2. Best secret inexpensive eats. In O'Brian Hall, there is Dixie's mini donuts. OMG. They make them as you wait, Hot and sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar. Only$2.50 for 6 but just pay the $5. and get a dozen. Warning, You will not want to share. (the link is to a great article about Dixie and her donuts.)

3. Parking tip. Park off site. Easy, free and less of a hassle.

4. Best thing to buy. By the exit of the garden area by the O'Brian entrance are these beautiful plates. The artist Lisa Brown is there. Leaf ART

There are some competitions that you can still sign up for.. enjoy and explore.

For today, that's all folks.

San Diego County Fair

OK, ready to start to travel and post again.

As many of you know I have taken off the last 4 months to study Mandarin. I have a long way to go.. But with the class over, I am planning short outings from our home in Carlsbad, Ca.
One challenge I have always wanted to do.. (not sure why) is to write and explore the San Diego county fair.

This year, I have purchased a full fair pass, meaning I can go everyday. I do not plan on going Daily, but am planning on really checking out everything this year. I don't do rides, so will only post pics.

Other trips planned for this summer, a Summer in South Lake Tahoe trip. A couple of train rides, one to Chinatown in L.A. and one to Santa Barbara.

Other outings to come.

Welcome Summer, 再见 普通话!

Preparing for travel and becoming a local via the radio

I haven't posted for sometime. One of the reasons is that I have been in Mandarin class. I came across this article..it talks about how radio can help with language.. Here is the article about learning Chinese (Mandarin) and how the radio helps.mandarin-chinese-radio-online/

It reminded me of another tool my husband and I use when preparing to travel,even within the USA or other local travels. Listen to local radio, before you go. With the invention of the Internet.. the world is at your fingertips. This includes radio online. Either English stations abroad or those in the native languages. 
When we go to Hawaii or Australia, we research and listen to local music and news before we arrive. 
This way we are up to date with local activities and issues. This allows you to chat with locals and blend.. Others also appreciate your willingness to learn about their city or culture. 

One other perk, if you have children, play children's radio or get children's music in the local language, not only will they pick it up, they will be less thrown upon their arrival.. 

If you want to travel like a local, listen like a local. 
幸福之旅 (Happy Trip)

Xìngfú zhī lǚ