er /Decem Novemb
ber 2010
Passport Standing Seats Only How far would you go to save money on a flight? Ryanair’s CEO David O’Leary is proposing to charge passengers less for “barstools” with seat belts. A further slew of cost-saving ideas includes charging for toilets and “fat tax” for heavy passengers. Wow. TRIVIA The world’s longest scheduled flight The world’s longest scheduled flight is Singapore to Newark, New Jersey, a trip which takes over 18 hours. That’s the equivalent of watching the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Twice.
REPLAY
pages of tips to get you ahead
19 -26 Suffering from wanderlust? Or anxious about that next official trip with the boss? Fear not for Challenge has compiled eight pages of tips and trivia to help you deal with either malady. For something different, hop onto a train for some slow, rail travel. And don’t forget to pick up essential phrases that’ll come in useful, especially when you need the loo! Now, if you would first get off that couch, and bravely go forth to navigate the unexpected.
Travel reminds us who we are and what we aren’t. We aren’t jobs, currency, automobiles, or textiles… We’re never more in touch with our identity than when we’re navigating the streets of a new city whose language we can’t understand, using a map we can’t read. We can be nothing but ourselves when we travel. – Juliane Huang,
Travel writer and blogger (www.julianehuang.com)
Airplane Toilets Rivalling the discovery of flight was the ability to relieve yourself in the sky.
Poop goes straight from the toilet to the sky
If you always thought that it goes straight from the bowl to the sky, think again. Any holes that allow poop to fly straight out will cause the depressurisation of a plane. Rather, poop, or any waste for that m a t t e r, go e s i n t o a holding tank in a plane.
Source: www.howstuffworks. com/question314.htm
Getting stuck on an airplane toilet Airplane toilets employ an alarmingly loud vacuum flush, which does conjure fears of being stuck on the seat should one flush while still comfortably enthroned. Fortunately, the human body does not provide a perfect seal for the toilet seat. Also, the suction generated is insufficient to trap a perfectly rounded bottom. So go in peace. Source: http://mythbustersresults.com/pilot2
It hits the fan
A Canadian was left in shock as chunks of ice measuring 15cm came crashing through the roof of her home. Tests revealed that the ice was, in fact, frozen waste ejected from the lavatory of a passing airplane due to a malfunctioning holding tank. Fortunately, such incidents are extremely rare. Source: http://bit.ly/hitsthefan
Effective Ways to
Pack for Business Pay attention to these essentials to make a business trip that much smoother. Things to bring
All these things should fit in a single carry-on bag. It really helps to reduce anxiety over lost baggage.
Copies of important documents Keep originals safely at home Dress jacket Everything just looks better with a jacket on it String of pearls Add a touch of class when meeting and greeting Sewing kit For those loose buttons Safety pins When those loose buttons go missing US dollars Always useful to have some handy ALARM CLOCK Set the alarm clock, your phone’s alarm, get morning calls... NEVER be late ever Universal travel adaptor Juice up your gadgets on the go Extra pair of spectacles Being unable to see in a foreign country is just tempting fate Long-sleeved shirts Select only one or two colours to mix and match; every piece of clothing should match at least one other Common medication Just enough to keep yourself going scarf Dresses up an outfit. Works as impromptu head covering for religious places
TIPS Don’t dress too casually, even on free time. You never know when you might be needed. Resist the urge to shop or sightsee unless explicitly stated in the itinerary. Be well-versed in developments back home, including social, political and economic issues – you never know when you may need to represent your bosses in their absence. Read up and familiarise yourself with your destination. Learn how to address others, paying close attention to personal titles and other protocol. Keep a list of useful contacts at your destination and at home.
Organiser pouches Reduce clutter, avoid embarrassment opening your bag at immigration SHOE IN Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off for security checks
Magic Cone
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For desperate times when a toilet just can’t be found and the ladies really need to tinkle... Buy it from:www.magiccone.com
05 Charging Mat for Devices
Shirt Folder
Charge multiple devices without wires. So cool!
A nifty device to help fold just about any piece of clothing.
Prices from USD$99.99 (about S$135)
Prices from USD$18.99 (about S$25.59)
Buy it from: http://bit.ly/9p7h30_chargingmat
Source: http://bit.ly/cnG8Tk_flipfold
TRAVEL MATES The slew of travel paraphernalia is endless and mind-boggling. Try these out on your next trip! 04
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Luggage Scales
Save the hassle: weigh your luggage before leaving home. It’s so small you can even bring it along on your trip. Prices from USD$13 (about S$17.50)
Buy it from: http://bit.ly/azTyJg_scales
Toothbrush Covers
Keep your bristles hygienic with a toothbrush cover. Prices from S$3.
Portable Water Purifier
No more worries of diarrhoea w h i l e a b ro a d . No w yo u c a n sterilise water on the go! Prices from USD$99 (about S$133)
Buy it from: www.steripen.com
Buy it from any pharmacy.
Protect your Collar You know what they say about men with a stiff collar... but when it comes to official business, a stiff collar it must be. The most important part of a shirt is the collar. Yet keeping it looking crisp after being hauled halfway around the world is no mean feat. Recently, more shirts have small slits tailored underneath the collar for small pieces of plastic (or metal) to be inserted into them. These collar stays help prop up an otherwise lacklustre collar and give a sharper appearance. If your collar lacks these slits, your next best option are those plastic rings around the inside of a brand new shirt. Tuck those plastic rings into your shirt collar before you pack them in your bag!
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If your shy and sensitive nature prevents you from engaging strangers in a bout of witty banter, fret not, there is hope.
Strategy 1: Take focus off yourself – Be interested in the other person i.e. why are they going on a trip? – Smile (it’s not an interrogation).
But if you end up with a chatty neighbour who just won’t stop, there are ways to disengage from conversation gracefully.
to
Out of sync
Jet Lag Travelling across time zones can really mess up your body clock. What to do about it?
You could pop the melatonin pills, drink lots of liquid (except alcohol!), and walk about the plane to avoid jet lag. But a radical (and safe) strategy to combat jet lag is to be single-minded about one thing: SLEEP. Say no to food, drinks and in-flight movies. Tell the person next to you, and the crew, not to wake you up for meals. Don’t worry, you can always ask for food later if you change your mind. We do wonder if fighting jet-lag is worth giving this much up, though. Source: http://bit.ly/9vyAQZ_howtosleep
Strategy 2: Come prepared – Put your headphones on. – Bob your head to the tune (or whatever’s in
Strategy 3: Be nice – Indulge them for a minute or so, just long enough to convey your good manners. – End the conversation with a yawn and thank them for their time.
What if your neighbour persists in wanting to know your family history?
your head).
Tipping POINT
– Close your eyes immediately once seated.
1. As a rule of thumb, tip if the service was great. 2. Tip the bellhops who truck your luggage to your room: about one or two US dollars per piece. 3. Always ask a local if in doubt.
Europe
In general, tips are not expected; they are meant to convey your appreciation for excellent service. Only tip at restaurants if you really like the people serving you. About 5% of your total bill would do; anything above is excessive. Country-specific advice in Europe: http://bit.ly/9wU67q_tipping
Australia
As there’s a high minimum wage in Australia, tips are generally not expected.
But it would be nice to tip the bellhops who lug your stuff up to the rooms. A dollar or two per piece of luggage should be enough.
Asia
We don’t usually tip in Asia, so tip only if you think the service was smashing. An exception to this rule: tips are expected at the more westernised and up-scale restaurants.
USA
Tipping is expected here. Waiters are usually paid at or below the minimum wage, with the bulk of the salary earned from tips. Tip about 15% on average; 20% if you’re feeling generous. Leave US$2 to 3 on the bed every morning for the housekeepers. Cabbies get about 15% too, with an extra dollar or two when they help with bags.
Travel Footwear The best trips deserve the right companions. Choose your footwear wisely! TIPS Make sure your shoes fit comfortably: brand new shoes aren’t always good company. Avoid shoes with metal strips in them unless you’d like a tour of airport security.
01 Chiang Mai
The Eastern and Oriental Express
South East Asia
02 Sawankhaloke & Lampang
It’s time to slow down and experience Asia all over again. This time, the journey is very much part of the experience: Chiang Mai to Singapore over eight days by train. 1. Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Depart on your journey in the afternoon, just in time for tea as you admire the beauty of Northern Thailand.
Wang Po & River Kwai 04
03 Bangkok
THAI
2. Sawankhaloke & Lampang
Explore the ruins at Si Satchanalai, part of the northernmost citadel of the ancient Khmer empire. Enjoy tea at the Lampang Baan Sao Nok, a house built in traditional Lanna Thai style and supported on 116 teak pillars.
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3. Bangkok
Enjoy two days in Bangkok and savour the food, vibrancy and shopping.
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4. Wang Po & River Kwai
Board a local raft and cruise along the picturesque Kwai Yai river, passing under the River Kwai Bridge. Visit the Don Rak War Cemetery as you tour the infamous “Death Railway”.
MSIA SIN
Penang 05
5. Penang (Malaysia)
Tour the Kho Kongsi clan house built in the baroque style of the late Ching dynasty. Enjoy a refreshing drink in Farquhar’s Bar at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
6. Singapore
All good things must come to an end as you cross the Causeway from Malaysia into Singapore.
Singapore 06
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express The setting of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, this classic trip from Istanbul to Paris takes you through Budapest, Romania and Bulgaria in six days, and is only available once a year. Prices (per person) start from US$9190 (approx. S$12,426) for a Double cabin, to US$13870 (approx. S$18,754) for a Suite cabin. Source: www.orient-express.com/web/vsoe/journeys/4_121933.jsp
RETURN TRIP
8908675 1236EFQ
Booking No.
Ticket No.
Source: http://bit.ly/9r0nUO_EOexpress
Cultural No-Nos
Social B&B:
Gestures really don’t mean the same thing to everyone. Thumbs up could be a thumbs down
Think you’re being friendly? Think again. While you may think that the thumbs up sign means “good” or “ok”, that gesture is actually offensive to Iraqis. So if (for whatever reason) you find yourself in Iraq, keep your thumbs to yourself and flash a big smile instead.
The famous “peace” or “victory” sign made with two fingers might mean something else if your palm faces inwards. Peculiar to England, this sign actually means “up yours!” when combined with an upward jerk of the hand.
Peace (*#%@)
A new(er) way to travel
It all began with Couchsurfing: a network which connects fellow couch surfers with a spare bed or sofa (well, just about any surface for that matter), all for free. With over two million members in 238 countries, Couchsurf ing has been a great success.
Filling the gap between a couch and a hotel room, new social bedand-breakfast networks such as AirBnB allow travellers to rent a room from a local without the trepidation of sleeping on a stranger’s couch (hey, it ’s free after all).
Ok. The OK sign means (Not ok!) many things to many
people. It signifies that something is worthless in France; it’s a symbol for money in Japan; and is a symbol for a body part in Brazil, Russia and Germany. So be careful where you flash those fingers!
Exotic Foods
AirBnB.com
Sup Torpedo
Currently the most popular site
(Bull’s Penis Soup)
IStopOver.com
Rooster’s testicles
Specialises in big events e.g. South Africa World Cup
Malaysia Taiwan
Isaw Manok
Philippines
Focused primarily in the UK
Smoked bats
Indonesia
Roomorama.com
Mexican huitlacoche
(chicken intestines)
Crashpadder.com
For New York City’s pricier real estate
pronounced “wee-tlah-KOH-cheh” (purple corn fungus)
Mexico
al Team’s Challenge Editori
TO DIE FOR destinations
Nodding means Yes. No?
Seemingly counter-intuitive, nodding your head means no in Albania, while shaking your head means yes. To emphasise your point, raise your eyebrows slightly while nodding your head if you mean NO.
Today’s specials
It’ll have to be the Land of Football – Brazil, when they host the World Cup Finals this 2014. Brazilian babes and samba football, here I come! :)
Iceland. I can’t get enough of cold weather, and even better if there’s snow! With its promise of the rugged outdoors, geothermal spas, volcanoes and glaciers, my dream would be to do a trek there!
The Andaman Mine would be Sea where there is Paris because great diving on a I love cities, live-aboard boat, especially cities so that the first that are alive and thing I see in the rich in history. morning is a wide Now if I could only expanse of ocean. improve on my atrocious French...
Agnes
For someone who has lived in temperate Singapore all his life, it’ll be ‘cool’ to stay at the ICEHOTEL in Sweden...
TRIVIA
TIP
Black market passports When you’re on the move, your passport is probably the most valuable item on you. Keep it in a hotel safe or on you at all times. Did you know that a United Kingdom passport is worth about £8000 (approx. S$17,400) on the black market? Imagine what a Singapore passport might fetch! So hold on tight to yours.
Language quick fix Pick up essential phrases from 36 languages at the BBC’s Quick Fix website. Download the phrases onto your MP3 player to learn how to say “Velkommen” (‘Welcome‘ in Norwegian) or “Malonu su jumis susipažinti” (‘Pleased to meet you’ in Lithuanian). Going to the Czech Republic? “Kde je záchod, prosím?” (Where is the toilet, please?) is a must. http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/quickfix/
Pre-trip Checklist Things we forget to do before leaving. Clear out the trash House the pets Check the rice-cooker (don’t feed the maggots!) Clean the toilet Clear stagnant water (yes, if they breed, you bleed.) Clear the fridge Water the plants Stop newspaper delivery Switch off appliances Notify MINDEF (for NSmen)
Keeping Pets What’s to happen to your pets when you’re on the road (and you’ve called in one too many favours)? Check Fluffy into a pet hotel, where it ’ll be well taken care of by professionals from as little as $12 a day!
Woof ? !