When we arrive back in the United States in late June, Alex and I will have taken and off and (fingers crossed) landed on 31 domestic and international flights since August. We have racked up some decent frequent flyer miles, which unfortunately might not ever be used since we don’t fly on Laos Airlines or Nok Airlines in Vietnam so often.
Except for a few occasions we have had essentially painless air travel for the most part and Alex has become an expert in negotiating international gateways, security lines, immigration, visas, and always going to the green, nothing-to-declare lines when entering a new country. His passport has that ‘well-traveled’ multiple visas look to which all travelers aspire.
One phenomena of traveling in Asia is the number of people who either take your picture-often quite obviously, and those who ask to be with you in a picture. Alex, in particular has posed for dozens of photos in the past year and most often in airports. Keeping kids busy in an airport on a long layover is a challenge. We have traveled through Guangzhou twice and Alex has discovered the free baggage cart/TV set. While often riding around the huge gate area, he can wirelessly watch movies and surf the web.
The longest flight we had to China was from Detroit to Seoul-14 hours. Alex hung in there for the most part, but thanks to an empty seat in our row, managed to sleep on the floor under the seats for two hours. Jealous? Absolutely.The airport in Osaka offers free, amazingly comfortable, loungers to kick back before our flight back to China.After the customary treat from Starbucks, free wi-fi, the lounge chairs and lighted cube end tables overlooking Osaka make layovers a breeze.The constant search for wi-fi when traveling ranks up there with water and oxygen in the list of must-haves when globetrotting. Luckily, most airports in Asia provide all of the above for free.A constant companion, an Ipad, means there is always a camera nearby for recording things like ‘travel goofiness” which sets in during long layovers followed by long flights.As much as people complain about bad food on airplanes, the possible trick is going vegetarian. I have enjoyed nearly ever meal in the 31 flights this year as evidenced by this look at a meal on Vietnam Airlines. Another perk: Special meals get served first!High above Canada, our flight from Detroit to Seoul took us near the Arctic Circle and the thousands of islands and waterways far north.On a return trip to China from Laos, I took this shot out of the window as the sun slipped away in the west.
We’re getting ready for our three-week trip to Southeast Asia in a little over a week. We’ll be doing LOTS of flying, so I enjoyed this post. Funny about your son being photographed so much . . . I’ve got two daughters with blue eyes, and one also has long blond hair, so thanks for the “warning.” Any tips on Wi-Fi??
Yes, Karen get ready for many pictures. You can tell the girls that they must think they are movie stars. We have had good luck with free wi-fi in airports and Starbucks. Also ducking into hotel lobbies is easy and the front desk will normally give you the password. Where do you plan to go? Thanks for the nice comments on the blog!
I learned that ‘Vegetarian’ meal trick long ago, too. I love that you guys have benefitted from it! And, I remember in China and SE Asia, being often asked by strangers for photos with them! I had no idea that they still demonstrate that ‘alien’ perspective. I was always enchanted by how often blond(e)s and euro-kids were accosted for photos or who had their hair touched, too! I have so loved this blog, guys! Keep going!
Thanks David, we appreciate that you’re enjoy reading the blog! I think in the big cities, foreigners are less a big deal, but in the more remote places we have visited, people have no problem staring and even pointing. It may be hard being a ‘nobody’ again when we head back to the States. Thanks again….
Travel the World Over 
We’re getting ready for our three-week trip to Southeast Asia in a little over a week. We’ll be doing LOTS of flying, so I enjoyed this post. Funny about your son being photographed so much . . . I’ve got two daughters with blue eyes, and one also has long blond hair, so thanks for the “warning.” Any tips on Wi-Fi??
LikeLike
Yes, Karen get ready for many pictures. You can tell the girls that they must think they are movie stars. We have had good luck with free wi-fi in airports and Starbucks. Also ducking into hotel lobbies is easy and the front desk will normally give you the password. Where do you plan to go? Thanks for the nice comments on the blog!
LikeLike
I learned that ‘Vegetarian’ meal trick long ago, too. I love that you guys have benefitted from it! And, I remember in China and SE Asia, being often asked by strangers for photos with them! I had no idea that they still demonstrate that ‘alien’ perspective. I was always enchanted by how often blond(e)s and euro-kids were accosted for photos or who had their hair touched, too! I have so loved this blog, guys! Keep going!
LikeLike
Thanks David, we appreciate that you’re enjoy reading the blog! I think in the big cities, foreigners are less a big deal, but in the more remote places we have visited, people have no problem staring and even pointing. It may be hard being a ‘nobody’ again when we head back to the States. Thanks again….
LikeLike
Love your blog. Informative, but fun to read and learn at the same time.
LikeLike
Thanks, we love that you read it and are learning about all the cool stuff we have seen this year!
LikeLike