Quick Q&A: How I travel

Stole this questionaire off the New Zealand Herald website - my travel preferences.

Do you travel light or heavy?

I travel light, sometimes too light. I've been known to get to a destination and find that I've forgotten something important like a towel or a blanket or even enough clothes/shoes.

Cattle or first class?

Cattle always. I'd rather spluge at the destination and by getting the cheapest flight possible it means I have more money to spluge at the other end.

I can't travel without ... my camera. To capture all the scenery, memories and experience.

What type of suitcase do you carry?

A large, hard-covered, pale blue wheely one - you know the one's that you pull along behind you. But I want to upgrade to a backpack as it's more practical particularly when taking public transport to the hotel.

What's always in your hand luggage?

Moisturiser, so my skin doesn't dry out during the flight. Also the usual things like my passport, cellphone, wallet and camera.

Are you a planner or a last-minute packer?

I try to be a planner but generally end up being the last-minute packer.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?

The photos. Also a cool beer glass I got in St. Goar, Germany.

What's your favourite or most exciting airport to land in?

Singapore Changi Airport - I love the free foot massaging machines and free internet all around the airport. For landing alone though I'd say Heathrow with the views of the city and the Thames River as you come in.

Best travel tip?

Pack light, take loads of photos and don't be afraid to explore beyond the tourist tracks to get the real essence of the city/country. On a tour of Europe one of the best advice on exploring Venice from our group's tour manager was to forget the map and "get lost in Venice".

Most memorable trip?

Rarotonga earlier this year for Lisa's wedding. Beautiful white sand beaches, brightly coloured fish, warm salty water. Breathtaking. Everyone has to experience Polynesia at least once. Oh and can't forget the sea cucumbers LOL (thanks Jackass XD)

What do you do while on the plane?

Read, watch movies and, if I'm sitting next to someone nice, talk to my neighbour.

DAY DREAMING: The travel bug strikes again.

IT'S been over four months since I got back from Rarotonga and while I'm over the post holiday blues I am already yearning for my next adventure. There's been a lot going on emotionally for me and the family lately too with the death of my younger brother Waimarama on April 27. It still fresh on our hearts and minds and it is also one of the reasons I think I need a distraction. A global distraction.

I've found myself exploring travel websites such as STA Travel: http://www.statravel.co.nz/ which features loads of cheap flights, tour deals and round the world trip itineraries. Asia is the destination I'm considering for my next adventure with these Intrepid tours in mind:
http://www.statravel.co.nz/cps/rde/xchg/nz_division_web_live/hs.xsl/Intrepid-Asian-tour-Special-Offers.htm?WT.mc_id=onsite_flash_WokonIntrepid

I'm particularly keen on the 15-day Tibet Unplugged tour (pictured) as I have always wanted to go to Kathmandu and especially to Mt Everest.
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My Mum, Nan, Aunty Ngaira and cousin Rawinia-Molly plus half the whanau have also just returned from a cruise from Auckland to Fiji, Vanuatu and back to Auckland onboard the Pacific Sun (no not the one that was caught in the storm) and were raving about how great it was. Surfing the net, I came across this one on the Flight Centre website which looks really good:
http://cruises.flightcentre.co.nz/custom/special.html?special_id=156629
It's called TAHITIAN TREASURES and is a 21 night voyage stopping in at ports on the island nations of Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Tahiti, Western Samoa and Fiji.

It leaves June 29 next year and it's only just around $2000 (that price includes basically everything on board except for booze) for a four berth cabin. So if anyone is interested in this trip give me an email as it would be cool to get a group together to go.

Oooh back to Island...

P.S. Trip was great. But instead of writing out a word for word accound here's a selection of pictures from the vacation. A picture does tell a thousand words.

IT'S about time I updated this blog since I got back from the Cook Islands capital of Rarotonga about 3 weeks ago now. I'm still getting used to the drop in climate coming home to winter though! My last post said I lost my passport, well obviously I found it again! Sitting in one of my many handbags in the back of my wardrobe! Thank God for that!





And ofcourse any adventure of mine would not be complete without a little blonde moment.





You may remember from when I went to Europe last year, my first time out of kiwi-land, that I was so excited that I forgot to sign my passport and had to be reminded at the last minute by the lovely customs lady at the departure gate. Well this holiday I thought I was safe as I already had my passport signed so I couldn't possibly make the same mistake twice. Could I? - Then there was this little thing could the departure card. And ofcourse I'm filling it out in a rush as, despite arriving at the airport with ours to spare, our party suddenly find our flight has started boarding and we haven't even got to the departure gate yet!





So anyway, I'm doing the usual security check in thing, showing my passport and boarding pass et cetera to the lovely customs man and then he's like "oh you need to put your passport number on the card". So red-faced me makes a joke about always forgetting something and quckly scribbles it down before rushing off to the baggage x-ray. Afterwards, my friend ML who was right behind me tells me the lovely customs man got a right old laugh out of it saying to her "you know most people forget to write their name but that's the first time someone's forgotten their passport number".


-M

Arrrghhh!! I can't find my passport!!

MAJOR emergency. I've paid my deposit for the cruise and just have to fill out a couple of forms but I seemed to have misplaced THE most important document I need to get out of the country. My PASSPORT!!

With Lisa's wedding in Rarotonga in April and the Cruise to Fiji and Vanuatu in July I am totally panicking. Like where could it be? The last time I remember holding my passport in my own hands was at taiaha wananga when I was putting in my registration but then I didn't end up needing it because the printer was broken. I put it back in my bag but I'd be damned if I can remember which bag I was using that weekend! Oh the curse of having many bags!! I am so cleaning out this weekend and getting rid of some of my 'stuff'. Might have a garage sale. Anyone wanna buy a handbag? XD

Taking off again...

On a cruise liner...
Yep. Got another overseas adventurer planned. In July next year I'll be leaving Auckland to board a cruise ship for two weeks. Destination Fiji and other Pacific Islands.
I will be going with a bunch of whanau; aunties, nan and cousins. So looking forward to this next adventure. Will keep you posted when I know more.

Photos photos photos

It's been a while since my last post so here is the long-awaited link to photos from overseas experience number one: Destination Europe. aka Contiki European Magic May 2007.

Got them at http://www.ringo.com/ then search fro Marino Harker-Smith and a profile should come up feature me sitting in a very big clog.

ta.

-M

Singapore Changi Airport rox!

I just finished the best 10minute foot massage ever thanks to a gadget here called the big foot. Honestly, you have no idea how sore my feet have been after pretty much walking around concrete and cobblestone pavements for the last couple of weeks. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my tour!! It's just so much walking to see everything and I'd rather walk than take the underground everywhere cos you see more.

Oh yeah, now I can say I have taken the metro service in 3 cities in 3 countries: Paris, Munich and London. All in different languages LoL.

Well and as for the Big Foot, get this, it was FREE!! I know Auckland has massage chairs but their like 2 for 2minutes! They have those here too and their also free! Singapore obviously know how to be good hosts! I am so coming back here again, maybe even see a bit of the country OUTSIDE the airport! XD I will also definately choose to fly with Singapore Airlines again since my initial experience was so good and they have GREAT service. Anyway, this post was so NOT intended to be a flat out advertisement/endorcement for Singapore Airlines...

Oh well, four minutes to go. I better not be a hold out and let someone else have a turn on the computer.

BTW they are also really conservative here! Cleo magazine is considered classified adults only!!! Though I do kind of see their point on that one, something about girls under 14-years reading about the 10 ways to please their man in bed just doesn't sit right with me either!