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“That's never leaving Eliteistan, the rarefied, and tosome degree monotonous, world in which thewealthy walk from business-class cabin to town carto top-tier-but-still-chain-because-they-know-it-and-get-points hotel to Starbucks…
…sometimes you just want to veg out and read onthe beach. But we travel to travel, to see new things,get out of our routines and expand our brains.”
In Praise of Wandering “Over There”by Fuzz Hogan, Slate
“That's never leaving Eliteistan, the rarefied, and tosome degree monotonous, world in which thewealthy walk from business-class cabin to town carto top-tier-but-still-chain-because-they-know-it-and-get-points hotel to Starbucks…
…sometimes you just want to veg out and read onthe beach. But we travel to travel, to see new things,get out of our routines and expand our brains.”
In Praise of Wandering “Over There”by Fuzz Hogan, Slate
The World Less Traveled
Stefan KrasowskiRapid Travel Chai
Itinerary
Why The World Less Traveled?
Miles and Points Beyond Cathay J to Bali
Would You Go To…
North Korea
Saudi Arabia
Haiti
Why The World Less Traveled?
Miles and Points Beyond Cathay J to Bali
Would You Go To…
North Korea
Saudi Arabia
Haiti
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Who am I?
I lived in China for 8 years
I work in international business
I plan obsessively
I travel fast
I come back exhausted
My wife is the opposite
I lived in China for 8 years
I work in international business
I plan obsessively
I travel fast
I come back exhausted
My wife is the opposite
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Why The World Less Traveled?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Rome in Africa or Rome in Rome?
Colosseum, Rome
Colosseum, El-Jem, Tunisia
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Photo by jimmyharris, flickr
And While You’re in Tunisia
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
How to Get to Tunisia?
2 hour flight from Europe – easy for FTU-ers!
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
…and more!
Inspired Star Wars Sandcrawler
Jesuits and Germans in Paraguay
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Deserted UNESCOJesuit missions
German yerbamate farmers
Itaipú Dam+ +
How to Get to Paraguay?
AA nonstop from Miami or Latin American airlines
Overland from Argentina (Iguazú Falls or Posadas)
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
American Airlines Miami – Asunción inaugural flight
Thin Red Line in Solomon Islands
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
How to Get to Solomon Islands?
Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia
Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip
Book award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic orSingapore, not Hawaiian (limited to LAX flights)
Retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now VAand bookable for Delta
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia
Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip
Book award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic orSingapore, not Hawaiian (limited to LAX flights)
Retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now VAand bookable for Delta
Edson’s Bloody Ridge
Cons and Pros
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Cons
Red tape (visas) can be a hassle
Some destinations unavoidably expensive
Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels
Stress…especially with companions
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Red tape (visas) can be a hassle
Some destinations unavoidably expensive
Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels
Stress…especially with companions
Awards can do a lot, but not everything
Delta or United to Saipan or Guam
Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261
Rental SUV $50
= Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Delta or United to Saipan or Guam
Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261
Rental SUV $50
= Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base
Enola Gay Loading PitAir Ops BuildingFreedom Air
Pros
Every day is off-peak
Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds
No tourist industry = few tourist scams
Authentic interaction with locals
Make a difference with your dollars
Learn
“You went where?” bar stories to tell
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Every day is off-peak
Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds
No tourist industry = few tourist scams
Authentic interaction with locals
Make a difference with your dollars
Learn
“You went where?” bar stories to tell
Go West in Dominican Republic
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali
Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Air Awards
Point A to B awards are easy
Points A to B to C to ∞ awards are hard
Get the trip you want, a simple roundtrip is not a sin
Codeshares may not be bookable
Check airline partners beyond alliance
Point A to B awards are easy
Points A to B to C to ∞ awards are hard
Get the trip you want, a simple roundtrip is not a sin
Codeshares may not be bookable
Check airline partners beyond alliance
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
British Airways Avios Partners
+
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
+
Avios are Miles AspirinShort flights earn few miles and can be very expensive
Africa, Canada, Pacific, South America flights
Transfer bonuses from Amex MR, not Chase UR
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Continental Island Hopper
Can’t bear to call it ‘United’
Join missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders
String together 2-day layovers for next flight!
Don’t forget Yap and Palau (Koror)
Can’t bear to call it ‘United’
Join missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders
String together 2-day layovers for next flight!
Don’t forget Yap and Palau (Koror)
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Palau and Peleliu
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Pohnpei
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
For Obscure Airlines
OneTravel for hard to ticket airlines
Get reservation record AND ticket number
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotels Have Partners Too
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
IHG Rewards Hotels Anywhere
The opportunity is for non-chain hotels, but since this is FTU
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Compared to 12,000 HyattGold Passport points
Would you go to…
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Would you go to…
Go/no go ethical dilemma
Government ≠ People
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Mt Kyaiktiyo,Myanmar (Burma)in 2010
Would you go to…
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Would you go to…Muslim countries(if you are non-Muslim)
Are you comfortable feeling really outsider?
Women: will you wear a head scarf or abaya?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered,‘Muslim countries’ defined as countries with majority Muslim populations
Are you comfortable feeling really outsider?
Women: will you wear a head scarf or abaya?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered,‘Muslim countries’ defined as countries with majority Muslim populations
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Kota Kinabalu,Sabah, Malaysia
Would you go to…Muslim countries(if you are non-Muslim)
Wide diversity – Morocco to Indonesia
Be low-profile and modest
Women – pros and cons of the attention
Israeli stamps in passports
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered,‘Muslim countries’ defined as countries with majority Muslim populations
Wide diversity – Morocco to Indonesia
Be low-profile and modest
Women – pros and cons of the attention
Israeli stamps in passports
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered,‘Muslim countries’ defined as countries with majority Muslim populations
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Al Batinah, Oman
Would you go to…Dictatorships
Will you accept that money will go to the government?
Will you take care to not compromise locals?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered
Will you accept that money will go to the government?
Will you take care to not compromise locals?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Ashgabat,Turkmenistan
Would you go to…Dictatorships
Often safe for tourists that follow the rules
Covert journalists, missionaries, etc beware
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered
Often safe for tourists that follow the rules
Covert journalists, missionaries, etc beware
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Baku, Azerbaijan
Would you go to…High crime countries
Will you take precautions or take risks?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered
Will you take precautions or take risks?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Copán,Honduras
Would you go to…High crime countries
Get out to the countryside
Avoid drug traffic routes
Daylight is your friend
Party somewhere else
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered
Get out to the countryside
Avoid drug traffic routes
Daylight is your friend
Party somewhere else
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Suchitoto, El Salvador
Would you go to…‘Failed States’
Is it a ‘failed state’ for tourism?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered ,‘failed states’ is a nebulous term, see the annual Foreign Policy Failed States Index
Is it a ‘failed state’ for tourism?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered ,‘failed states’ is a nebulous term, see the annual Foreign Policy Failed States Index
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Victoria Falls Hotel,Zimbabwe
Would you go to…‘Failed States’
Lack of government vs lack of safety
Armored car approach vs low key
Know your contingencies
Read Little Bunch of Madmen by Mort Rosenblum
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered ,‘failed states’ is a nebulous term, see the annual Foreign Policy Failed States Index
Lack of government vs lack of safety
Armored car approach vs low key
Know your contingencies
Read Little Bunch of Madmen by Mort Rosenblum
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered ,‘failed states’ is a nebulous term, see the annual Foreign Policy Failed States Index
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Would you go to…Conflict zones
What is your motivation?
Will you endanger yourself or others?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered
What is your motivation?
Will you endanger yourself or others?
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
WWII Monument,Almaty, Kazakhstan
Would you go to…Conflict zones
Widespread vs localized conflict
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered
Widespread vs localized conflict
Disclaimer: these are broad stereotypes, every country and trip should be individually considered©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
SouthernSri Lankain 2010
Rapid Travel ChaiGuide to Culture in One Slide
Rapid Travel ChaiGuide to Culture in One Slide
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Don’t Be These Guys
Wearingshorts
Flippantlywearinglocal hats
At least shirtshave sleeves
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Aussie football fansin Oman
Wearingshorts
Flippantlywearinglocal hats
North Korea
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Can You Go?
Yes, it is legal
Plan at least 1 month ahead
Now open year-round
Mass Games not planned for 2014
Agency handles visa and does not need your passport
What if something happens? Call Swedish Embassy,Jimmy Carter or Dennis Rodman
Yes, it is legal
Plan at least 1 month ahead
Now open year-round
Mass Games not planned for 2014
Agency handles visa and does not need your passport
What if something happens? Call Swedish Embassy,Jimmy Carter or Dennis Rodman
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Agencies
Must book with an approved agency:Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options
big bus tours or $$$ small groupUri Tours: new player, more boutique
smaller groups
Both have interesting theme tours like Uri golf tour
Itinerary set in advance and difficult (for you) to change
But itinerary will change and guides do their best
Consider private tour for more local interaction
Must book with an approved agency:Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options
big bus tours or $$$ small groupUri Tours: new player, more boutique
smaller groups
Both have interesting theme tours like Uri golf tour
Itinerary set in advance and difficult (for you) to change
But itinerary will change and guides do their best
Consider private tour for more local interaction©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
How to Get to North Korea
Typically must get yourself to Beijing:2-entry visa if train or visit other Chinese cities72-hour stopover if international flights only
Train entry/exit for US ctizens still an issue
Koryo Air is cheaper and the full experience
Air China is Star Alliance,I’ve never seen awards to FNJ…
Typically must get yourself to Beijing:2-entry visa if train or visit other Chinese cities72-hour stopover if international flights only
Train entry/exit for US ctizens still an issue
Koryo Air is cheaper and the full experience
Air China is Star Alliance,I’ve never seen awards to FNJ…
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
The Guides
If you break the rules, your guides will pay
No freedom of movement without guide
Guides loosen up a bit when you build trust
Be reasonable in requests
Be considerate on sensitive topics
If you break the rules, your guides will pay
No freedom of movement without guide
Guides loosen up a bit when you build trust
Be reasonable in requests
Be considerate on sensitive topics
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
On the Ground
You are guests in their house
You see what they want you to see, and a bit more
Mobile phones now allowed – local SIM $$$
Try being disconnected – finally a relaxing vacation!
You are guests in their house
You see what they want you to see, and a bit more
Mobile phones now allowed – local SIM $$$
Try being disconnected – finally a relaxing vacation!
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What You See - Monuments
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What You See - DMZ
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What You See - Glimpses of Daily Life
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What You See – Mass Games (next in 2015)
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What You See – If It’s a Holiday
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What You See – Party Time!
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Saudi Arabia
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Can You Go to Saudi Arabia?
Muslims welcome
Jews officially not unwelcome, but…
Women not welcome alone (unless business)
Tourists not welcome without $$$$$ group
Transit visa (thanks UPGRD Matthew http://bit.ly/11uCx9K)
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Muslims welcome
Jews officially not unwelcome, but…
Women not welcome alone (unless business)
Tourists not welcome without $$$$$ group
Transit visa (thanks UPGRD Matthew http://bit.ly/11uCx9K)
His and Hers Transit Visas
Bribed my wife with 2 nights at Park Hyatt Dubai
Follow the official process first
Then go with the flow
Took me 4 trips to Saudi Consulate in NYC
Must prove need to transit
24 hours single-entry easiest, multiple/72 hours possible
Without visa, transits cannot leave airport
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Bribed my wife with 2 nights at Park Hyatt Dubai
Follow the official process first
Then go with the flow
Took me 4 trips to Saudi Consulate in NYC
Must prove need to transit
24 hours single-entry easiest, multiple/72 hours possible
Without visa, transits cannot leave airport
Then Go Abaya Shopping
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
How to Get to Saudi Arabia
Get the full experience with Saudia, easy Delta award
Marriotts are category 4 – use up your certs
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Who Can Hack their Way into the Royal Terminal?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Riyadh – Dusty Capital
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Jeddah – Ornate Old Town
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Haiti
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
This is the Haiti We See in the News
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
This is Who Goes to Haiti
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Haiti Was Once Fabulously Rich
Richest colony in 18th century
50% of France’s GNP in the 1750s
Now Haiti needs your tourist dollars
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Anchor of Columbus’flagship Santa Maria
How to Get to Haiti
Easy awards on American and Delta (ATL, JFK, MIA)
Continue to France via Guadeloupe on Delta/Air France
Overland from Dominica Republic difficult
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Tortug' Air
Reality Check
Infrastructure is still patchy
Safety is an issue – comparable to Central America
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Cap-HaïtienAirport in 2012
Cap-Haïtien and Citadelle Laferrière
1-hour flight from Port-au-Prince, charters from Florida
Hostellerie du Roi Christophe
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Coastal ruins
Cap-Haïtien and Citadelle Laferrière
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Port-au-Prince
City is buzzing on the ruins
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
No more tent city
City is buzzing on the ruins
Hope
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Fun
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Make a Difference
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
You have the toolsYou have the opportunityYou are the travel 0.001%What will you do?
You have the toolsYou have the opportunityYou are the travel 0.001%What will you do?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Thank You
[email protected]@rapidtravelchai
rapidtravelchai.com
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved