Rapid Travel Chai: The World Less Traveled - Frequent Traveler University Tampa 2013

“That's never leaving Eliteistan, the rarefied, and to
some degree monotonous, world in which the
wealthy walk from business-class cabin to town car
to top-tier-but-still-chain-because-they-know-it-and-
get-points hotel to Starbucks…
…sometimes you just want to veg out and read on
the 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 to
some degree monotonous, world in which the
wealthy walk from business-class cabin to town car
to top-tier-but-still-chain-because-they-know-it-and-
get-points hotel to Starbucks…
…sometimes you just want to veg out and read on
the 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 Krasowski
Rapid 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
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

Rome in Africa or Rome in Rome?
Colosseum, Rome
Colosseum, El-Jem, Tunisia
Photo by jimmyharris, flickr

And While You’re in Tunisia

How to Get to Tunisia?
2 hour flight from Europe – easy for FTU-ers!
…and more!
Inspired Star Wars Sandcrawler

Jesuits and Germans in Paraguay
Deserted UNESCO
Jesuit missions
German yerba
mate farmers
Itaipú Dam
+ +

How to Get to Paraguay?
AA nonstop from Miami or Latin American airlines
Overland from Argentina (Iguazú Falls or Posadas)
American Airlines Miami – Asunción inaugural flight

Thin Red Line in Solomon Islands

How to Get to Solomon Islands?
Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia
Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip
Book award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic or
Singapore, not Hawaiian (limited to LAX flights)
Retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now VA
and bookable for Delta
Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia
Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip
Book award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic or
Singapore, not Hawaiian (limited to LAX flights)
Retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now VA
and bookable for Delta
Edson’s Bloody Ridge

Cons and Pros

Cons
Red tape (visas) can be a hassle
Some destinations unavoidably expensive
Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels
Stress…especially with companions
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
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
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

Miles and Points
Beyond Cathay J to Bali
Miles and Points
Beyond Cathay J to Bali

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

British Airways Avios Partners
+
+

Avios are Miles Aspirin
Short flights earn few miles and can be very expensive
Africa, Canada, Pacific, South America flights
Transfer bonuses from Amex MR, not Chase UR

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)

Palau and Peleliu

Pohnpei

For Obscure Airlines
OneTravel for hard to ticket airlines
Get reservation record AND ticket number

Hotels Have Partners Too

IHG Rewards Hotels Anywhere
The opportunity is for non-chain hotels, but since this is FTU
Compared to 12,000 Hyatt
Gold Passport points

Would you go to…

Would you go to…
Go/no go ethical dilemma
Government ≠ People
Mt Kyaiktiyo,
Myanmar (Burma)
in 2010

Would you go to…
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum

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?
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
Wide diversity – Morocco to Indonesia
Be low-profile and modest
Women – pros and cons of the attention
Israeli stamps in passports
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?
Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan

Would you go to…Dictatorships
Often safe for tourists that follow the rules
Covert journalists, missionaries, etc beware
Often safe for tourists that follow the rules
Covert journalists, missionaries, etc beware
Baku, Azerbaijan

Would you go to…High crime countries
Will you take precautions or take risks?
Will you take precautions or take risks?
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
Get out to the countryside
Avoid drug traffic routes
Daylight is your friend
Party somewhere else
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?
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
Lack of government vs lack of safety
Armored car approach vs low key
Know your contingencies
Read Little Bunch of Madmen by Mort Rosenblum
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Would you go to…Conflict zones
What is your motivation?
Will you endanger yourself or others?
What is your motivation?
Will you endanger yourself or others?
WWII Monument,
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Would you go to…Conflict zones
Widespread vs localized conflict
Widespread vs localized conflict
Southern
Sri Lanka
in 2010

Rapid Travel Chai
Guide to Culture in One Slide
Rapid Travel Chai
Guide to Culture in One Slide

Don’t Be These Guys
Wearing
shorts
Flippantly
wearing
local hats
At least shirts
have sleeves
Aussie football fans
in Oman
Wearing
shorts
Flippantly
wearing
local hats

North Korea

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

Agencies
Must book with an approved agency:
Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options
big bus tours or $$$ small group
Uri Tours: new player, more boutique
smaller groups
Both have interesting theme tours like Uri golf tour
Itinerary set in advance and difficult (for you) to change
But itinerary will change and guides do their best
Consider private tour for more local interaction
Must book with an approved agency:
Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options
big bus tours or $$$ small group
Uri 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

How to Get to North Korea
Typically must get yourself to Beijing:
2-entry visa if train or visit other Chinese cities
72-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 cities
72-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…

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

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!

What You See - Monuments

What You See - DMZ

What You See - Glimpses of Daily Life

What You See – Mass Games (next in 2015)

What You See – If It’s a Holiday

What You See – Party Time!

Saudi Arabia

Can You Go to Saudi Arabia?
Muslims welcome
Jews officially not unwelcome, but…
Women not welcome alone (unless business)
Tourists not welcome without $$$$$ group
Transit visa (thanks UPGRD Matthew http://bit.ly/11uCx9K)
Muslims welcome
Jews officially not unwelcome, but…
Women not welcome alone (unless business)
Tourists not welcome without $$$$$ 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
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

How to Get to Saudi Arabia
Get the full experience with Saudia, easy Delta award
Marriotts are category 4 – use up your certs

Who Can Hack their Way into the Royal Terminal?

Riyadh – Dusty Capital

Jeddah – Ornate Old Town

Haiti

This is the Haiti We See in the News

This is Who Goes to Haiti

Haiti Was Once Fabulously Rich
Richest colony in 18th century
50% of France’s GNP in the 1750s
Now Haiti needs your tourist dollars
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
Tortug' Air

Reality Check
Infrastructure is still patchy
Safety is an issue – comparable to Central America
Cap-Haïtien
Airport in 2012

Cap-Haïtien and Citadelle Laferrière
1-hour flight from Port-au-Prince, charters from Florida
Hostellerie du Roi Christophe
Coastal ruins

Cap-Haïtien and Citadelle Laferrière

Port-au-Prince
City is buzzing on the ruins
No more tent city
City is buzzing on the ruins

Hope

Fun

Make a Difference

You have the tools
You have the opportunity
You are the travel 0.001%
What will you do?
You have the tools
You have the opportunity
You are the travel 0.001%
What will you do?

Thank You
stefan@rapidtravelchai.com
@rapidtravelchai
rapidtravelchai.com

Rapid Travel Chai: The World Less Traveled - Frequent Traveler University Tampa 2013

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Rapid Travel Chai: The World Less Traveled - Frequent Traveler University Tampa 2013