“I’m blissfully not addicted to other peoples’ opinions.”
I choose where I go, and enjoy what I choose. 🤠
Abu Dhabi
TRAVEL WEBSITES: WHAT CAN WE BELIEVE?
I have been banging on for at least 5 years, about the huge flaw in travel websites such as Tripadvisor: they are too open to manipulation. See the newdaily.com report: https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/consumer/2018/07/31/meriton-penalty-misleading-tripadvisor/
WINTER FARE IS SIMPLY … MOORISH
Halal Sample Pack for just $6.90. I could waffle on about the subtle mint yoghurt languidly counterbalancing the sharp, spicy sauce but, hey, this is just Lord of the Kebab in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, join us for a halal lunch…
QANTAS DIRECT PERTH-LONDON. A REAL REVIEW…
No 17-hour flight is fun. As a travel editor I’ve done plenty, in First/Business Class, paid by the airlines. Here’s the real story, you’re unlikely to see in Traveller, Escape or on TV…
QANTAS PAYOUT FOR SACKING ‘STOLI’ STEALING STEWARD
I’m siding with Qantas on this one. The steward, let’s call him “Stoli”, stole little bottles of vodka, gin and beer, and lied. Stoli worked for Qantas for 28 years… how many did he “acquire” over that time? The Fairfax story implies it could be endemic: 3 crew on the same flight caught by random. Passenger always pays for it in airfares…
NO MERIT FOR MERITON SERVICED APARTMENTS
In the Digital Age we rely too much on travel review sites, such as TripAdvisor. Always be wary that the reviews can be easily manipulated. Here is a Fairfax Media report, of a court case involving Meriton Serviced Apartments:
Secret Number, the ‘dark horse’ in the 2016 Melbourne Cup
Secret Number has raced only once in the past year – and won – which really only says one thing: the gelding’s owner doesn’t need prizemoney. Drawn well in barrier 10. If you love flying with Emirates (as I do), back Secret Number because you’ve paid for him with your airfares…
A race to waste money
Please steal the F1 Grand Prix from Melbourne. It was a tourism drawcard 20 years ago, but time has moved on. We have a budget blackhole while we burn taxpayer’s money? And buzzing the city with a jetfighter on afterburners – really? Let’s come up with a new idea to grab the world’s attention. Something that benefits all, and not just a handful of mega-wealthy men…
Middle East ancient attractions can wait a little longer
Fairfax “Traveller” is a good, quality travel publication. But promoting group tours of the Middle East now? This is most unwise. Isis bullies would be “over the crescent moon” if they could grab an entire tour group of hostages. Iran? Egypt? Jordan? Tunisia? Come on, you’re asking for trouble. These are some of the best destinations in the world… but after they deal with their terrorists.
Haxtrax 