Small group travel is not so bad

I arrived back from my mini trip to China a few months ago... I have to admit, it was wonderful. The group of people I met and explored were like minded, open and adventurous. The travel company was lacking.. but that will be for another post.

What I learned about was how to be ready to pick up and go, ways to maneuver a different city and how very friendly people can be when you are also friendly to them. The best trick I learned.. so simple but I had not thought of it... a small group of us took the subway in Beijing to the Summer Palace. Jay and his wife, very seasoned travelers.. took a picture of the station sign we were at and then upon arrival at our destination took another one.

On our way back, he was able to show the picture.. and directions were easy...

Second, tip as always, Go Local.. eat, hang and interact with the locals. Again our small group within a small group, would go out and visit the local shopping areas, night markets and malls. We were the only foreigners, which made for some funny looks, but was nice to be in real life not tourist central.

I do have to post my travel videos and pics ... time has gotten away from me..

Our next Adventure is to Iceland in September...

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..

UBER: OOPPSSS

I have a friend that does not drive , he is ambulatory and has always used public transportation. I had encouraged him to use Uber.

Here is my disclaimer. I wanted to see how it would work. Every 20someting I know has applied for and at least attempted to work for either Uber or Lyft. I do think they are great alternatives to a taxi. Here is San Diego, they are trying to level the playing field with Taxi licenses being easier to get and there by lowering the cost and making them more competitive. 

Anyway, so together my friend and I downloaded the app, inputted his Credit Card number and decided to try it the next day.
(here is the Caveat) We did this on St. Patty's Day and did not want to be out and about with other drunks. This is why we thought we would do it the next day. My friend has to go to work but wanted someone there and I wanted to see the whole program in action. We met the next day at around 8:30 a.m.


Excited, we pulled out his phone and tapped the app. He listed where he wanted to go and said schedule...

NOTHING!! It must have been an amazing St. Patty's Day Celebration because there was not an UBER anywhere..  Thank goodness he was able to run to the bus and get where he needed to be.

One other person, had a mad semi lost driver with Uber. She doesn't drive and wanted to try it out and go to a smoothie place. The driver kept asking her where it was (yes she had inputted the address) once there, she asked her to wait 5 minutes while she gets her smoothie and the driver said No and took off.

Most of the experiences I hear about are great, but do not use UBER the day after a holiday and make sure you can guide your driver. :)

Still the best App for Travel Around.. Trip Advisor

I live and breathe TripAdvisor.com ... I write reviews and check out locations before I go ANYWHERE..

Even in the smallest of towns or countries, someone have posted something... 

A long time ago, I wrote about how to have a great locals trip and save $$ at the same time.....

One of the items is stay at a bed and breakfast and enjoy all the benefits your host offers... 

(I will write more on another day about why this is so important)

Second, ALWAYS check out reviews on trip advisor and contact reviewers and ask questions.... 

Remember what might be a problem for one is a perk for another... 

Last but not least.. when safe, take the locals means of transport... this works great almost anywhere except 

where I live in San Diego.. There is some public transport but your choices are limited....


I decided to remind readers of Trip Advisor as there are so many newer apps out trying to duplicate the best....

Fair Dinkum

Kendall

Old Pasadena: A great Destination

Old Pasadena is a wonderful revitalized area of Pasadena.. there are award winning,zaget rated restaurants, museums (Norton Simon is one), high end retail shops, outdoor art and architecturally restored buildings.
The link to see for your self is: www.oldPasadena.org
Parking is at a premium but there are multiple lots to use.. plan on paying to park at one of the many lots... but... we took the train and then the Gold line to the Del Mar station.
It sits as the southeast corner of O.P. across from beautiful Central park and half a block from Green Castle.

There is so much to see, do and eat that one day was almost not enough..
highlights,
One Colorado (great shopping and dining area off the main path)
Norton Simon: If you love muesums
Kings Row: they have a mac'n cheese using white chocolate..
The architicture

The next blog will go into more detail of each...

One note. If you are not a muesum person.. one day is more then enough to see everything if you don't dally....
But going to Old Pasadena is about the dallying and enjoying a wonderful area of Pasadena.