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Cheers from South Florida! Last time we left off as we returned back to the States from our incredible trip to Malaysia (here’s the link to the archives). This week we take care of some housekeeping, then make our way to the Sunshine State.
HOME SWEET HOME!
After my round-the-world trip I was excited to be home. Of course I wanted to tell all my friends and family about it, but I also needed to get organized and catch up with work (like writing these stories). Before we hop on a plane to Florida, I should include a couple of technology updates. I mentioned recently that my laptop battery was down to a mere 25 minutes of life. Instead of purchasing a new battery, I got a whole new Toshiba laptop (here’s the link). My last one was only a year old, but the amount of time I spent on it was equivalent to 5 user-years – I really beat it up. My new Satellite M115 is just a tad smaller than my last, but much lighter and faster -- and with 120GB of memory! So far I love it! A nifty little add-on business travelers may be interested in is the 3M privacy filter. This thin plastic cover that fits perfectly over your screen relieves any concerns about nosy passengers reading your personal emails or data.
FIXING MY CAMERA
Also, my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01
Camera, which I purchased last April in Melbourne, all but died on me when I was in remote areas of Malaysia.
Like a fool I forgot to bring my back-up camera.
Fortunately, by banging the camera gently on the ground (I don’t recommend this technique) I was able to get some more life out of it.
That didn’t help the spots on the lens (which you could see in the pictures), but at least I had something to show you.
When I returned home I immediately sent it off to Panasonic’s U.S. service center in Chicago (with a copy of my receipt).
Bigston Repair not only fixed it so it’s like new; they also gave me a loaner so I did not have to go two weeks without a camera.
All it cost me was the outbound postage. Thanks, Panasonic, for great service! I’m only telling you this because my previous camera was a Nikkon Coolpix. When I sent that one back for repair, Nikkon quoted me $188! What a joke – I could’ve bought a new one for the same price.
FIJI
Countless readers have asked if Fiji is safe, because of a coup in early December. I have been informed by friends who visit there and the news media that no one was hurt, and it is still perfectly safe
to travel there. In fact, if I had any free time I’d jump on a plane and go myself. This is a great time to book a Fijian vacation, because most of the resorts are offering incredible deals
(see below for two offers). Fiji is one of my favorite destinations, and not just because of the tropical weather, beautiful water and lack of poisonous creatures. Fijians are seriously the nicest people I have come across on this planet. I’ve been there four times, including November 2005 when I brought my dad. Here are the links to our stays at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Namale Resort, and Koro Sun Resort.
FIJI SPECIALS
Air Pacific, Fiji’s International Airline extends $754 Fiji fun fares!
Air Pacific announced this week they are extending the ‘book by’ date, departure date and duration of stay of their Fiji Fun Fares. Passengers now have until March 30, 2007 to book/purchase their reservation. Passengers may depart up to Jun 17, 2007. Air Pacific’s 747-400 non-stop flights conveniently depart Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (10:30PM) from Los Angeles, arriving in Nadi, Fiji early morning (5:15AM). These timings allow convenient connection times from most U.S. cities to LAX and provide traveler’s arriving in Fiji the ability to start their vacation shortly after they arrive, not losing any of their valued vacation time.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort: Honeymooners and couples seeking a Fijian escape can book six to nine nights and receive two nights free, or stay 10 nights and receive three nights free. This special includes two 60-minute massage treatments, and two one-tank dives per person. For more info click here
Vatulele Island Resort in Fiji: Pay for 6 nights and stay up to 10!
I NEED YOUR HELP
Speaking of Fiji: I recently read the updated Frommer’s Fiji guidebook. To my surprise, author Bill Goodwin
wrote about JohnnyJet! Thank you, Bill! This brings up something I’ve been meaning to ask readers for a long time – I really need your help! I know that some of our readers either own or run websites, write for magazines, newspapers and online newletters, or produce or host radio or TV shows. I’m asking everyone, in the U.S. and abroad, to please throw me a bone, by mentioning either
JohnnyJet.com or our other valuable resources like AirlineNumbers.com, HotelNumbers.com, CarRentalNumbers.com, CruiselineNumbers.com and AlternateAirports.com) Or how about arranging for me to come on your show? I can tell people how to save money when traveling or booking travel online. I can also talk about my travels. I recently received a Google Alert (they’re free, and inform you when certain keywords like "JohnnyJet" are mentioned on the internet). It told me that Rutgers University
has JohnnyJet.com listed on its website under Travel Resources. Thank you, Rutgers (and I didn’t even go to school there!).
UPCOMING APPEARANCE
Speaking of speaking: If you live or will be in Southern California, be sure to attend the
Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show
at the Long Beach Convention Center February 10 – 11). On Sunday, February 11, I’ll be on a 1 p.m. panel called "Online Travel: Your Ticket to Cyberspace." This will be my 3rd LA Times panel in 4 years, and it should be fun and educational. Please come by and say hi to me and the other travel experts, including my mentors Rick Steves, Huell Howser, Pauline Frommer and Don George.
DELTA AIRLINES
Coming off one of my most amazing flights ever, in Malaysia Airlines’ First Class, I did not expect much on my Delta Air Lines (866-715-2170,
Delta.com) domestic flight to
Florida. But I must say, I was quite impressed. It did help that I managed to fly at least 25,000 actual air miles with Delta
(and their SkyTeam Alliance partners) last year, so I earned Silver Medallion
status (their lowest level). When I went online 24 hours before my flight to print out my boarding card, I noticed I was upgraded to first class. I immediately called a reservation agent to find out how that happened. I had not requested an upgrade, nor did I want to spend any extra miles for one (it was too short a flight). The agent said that as a Silver Medallion member I’m entitled to free space-available upgrades. How great is that? I arrived at the airport exactly one hour before departure and went straight to security (I had already checked in online, and was not checking a bag). The security line was long, but the agent checking IDs guided me to the cherished premium line where just three people were waiting. This was because of my Silver Medallion status. How awesome is that? Be sure to get miles every time you fly; if the price difference is not great, stick to one airline or alliance to get these perks. Note: Only Delta gives free upgrades to its loyal customers, and not all airports offer separate security lines.
3-1-1 LIQUIDS RULE
I spent just two minutes going through security. A big reason is because I and the two travelers in front of me were up to date on the TSA’s new 3-1-1 liquids rule
for carry-on luggage (3-ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger that needs to be placed in a screening bin). They also knew to take their shoes and jackets off, laptop and video cameras out, to have no metals in their pockets, and to keep their boarding cards in their hands.
LOS ANGELES TO FORT LAUDERDALE
The flight
to Fort Lauderdale was 4 hours and 51 minutes. But it went quickly, because I had plenty of space (no one sat next to me), and we were on a former Song Airlines plane (Song, Delta’s low-fare carrier, went defunct almost a year ago). I love these 757s, because they have free live satellite TV with 25 channels, and 2 recent movies (a $5 fee; free in First Class). The flight attendants were extremely nice, and very attentive. For a second, I thought I was back in Asia. They constantly came around with drinks and fattening snacks: Sun Chips (140 calories), Quaker Granola Bars (120 calories), Biscoff cookies (146 calories), cry-roasted peanuts (30 nuts = 170 calories), and Lance Honey Peanut Butter Crackers (190 calories). I just read those statistics on DietDetective.com. Of course, I felt fat after devouring each of those snacks. And that was after a large meal
of cheese cannelloni with chicken breast. Note: Delta does not serve food in economy class, so be sure to bring food on board if you’re not upgraded.
NEW PASSPORT RULES
REMINDER: Don’t forget: This week the new passport requirements
for travelers take effect:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
NEXT WEEK
South Florida. Stay tuned!
Happy Travels,
Johnny Jet
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Copyright 2007 JohnnyJet
, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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