Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

12/12/2021

Samsonite Wheeled Backpack Black/Charcoal (17896-1053)

I've been using this trolley backpack for several months now and, overall, I'm very satisfied with the product.

GOOD
> I have carried this during raining or drizzle days, the bag was really wet outside, but the water would not go inside or penetrate the fabric.
> The wheels show no signs of deterioration despite the fact that I use the bag every weekday to walk to/from work, average 80 minutes per day, minimum 40 minutes, over flat but textured rugged footpaths.
> I love the structure of the outside, with 2 side pockets and 3 front pockets in different sizes. You can fit tons of stuff in. The top one is small and perfect for your phone, or small items of make-up or a glasses case plus cleaner bottle for example. Second pouch is quite large and I can put, comfortably, an average umbrella and a small cardigan with room for more small items. The third pouch is medium size but, due to being closer to the ground, I use it to put hard cases (pen case for ex.), shopping folded plastic bags, batteries, charger, tissues, anything fabric. Side pockets are also very spacious and I put there tons of stuff, like deodorant, sun-block, tissues, make-up, muesli bars, small items of food or candy, etc.
> The handle has its own zipped space to keep all safe, and you can put extra stuff in there, too. This is specially good when I'm travelling and put the bag horizontally on a travel compartment, as it prevents the handle to protrude and get damaged or hit anyone.
> I love the fact that the shoulder straps are protected by a zipped coat, so they don't get out when walking. If you want to carry the bag on shoulders you can safely velcro it to the bottom of the bag.
> The structure inside is also good, especially the padded laptop pouch. Plenty of room for me to put my lunch container, coffee cup, water bottle, plus any other thing to add for my breaks.
> The fabric handle on the top of the bag is really strong and nicely padded, so it's very comfortable to carry and lift when the bag is full without the fear that it's going to break
> Excellent stitching all over.
> Good quality zips.

DOWNSIDE
> The main downside is that this bag is heavy even when empty, so I think that a child would struggle with this. I usually carry my umbrella, water bottle, coffee cup and lunch box as the bigger items there and the bag is heavy. If I put my laptop and electronics inside, it is really heavy.
> The handle shape. Bar is square shaped and a bit annoying to carry for long periods of time, as I do. The handle per se is supposed to be ergonomic but I don't find it as comfortable as others.
> The fine inner separator. It's too thin to hold anything strongly (perhaps small bunches of printed paper or a notepad), but it really annoys me when putting bulky things inside because it impedes natural insertion without you having to look inside and hold it.

OVERALL
Overall, this is a good-quality bag and good value for money.

11/27/2021

Segolike Vaveren Nail Polish Storage bag caseTravel Organizer, Grey

GOOD POINTS
> Elegant and good looking case so it doesn't clash with my bathroom decor.
> Compact.
> The double decking allows me to put plenty of stuff inside.
> Easy and safe to carry.
> Sturdy material.
> The polish bottles are safely stored within the foam inner structure.

BAD POINTS
> Bad quality stitching. Some threads were already out upon opening the parcel. See photo.
> The inner foam last row is stitched too tightly so it cannot be opened and I cannot put any polish bottle inside, which defeats the purpose.
> The number of nail polish bottles I can comfortably put in is NOT 30 unless you use polishes from a brand with tiny bottles. I use different brands of nail polish and you can see in my photos that the bigger bottles, which are standard size by the way, somewhat protrude out.
> Smaller than expected. See photo beside a small packet of tissues.

1/05/2021

Kunany-Mt Wellington Explorer Bus 2-Hr Return Tour (Hobart, Tas, Australia)

This is a must if you are staying a few days in Hobart. Just the road trip to the mountain top is scenic and picturesque on its own, with really breathtaking views and some wow moments as the bus ascends through the very narrow forestie meandrous road.

There are walking and biking tracks in the surroundings that you can follow. You'll be provided with a map and can hop on/off at any of the stops. Let the drivers now that you'll be walking/cycling and when approximately you're going to go back and where you'll be catching the down bus. The bus can carry your bikes up/down if you intend to do part of the trip cycling.

The views of Hobart from the top are spectacular if the day is clear or not too cloudy. It is quite cold, so take an extra jacket.  


I wish the time at the top was a bit longer and that the latest bus departed from/to Mt Wellington a bit later, especially in summer, when there is daylight till about 8:30pm if not longer.

All the staff are really friendly. Our driver was a lovely chap, and he was truly informative without being overwhelming with his talking.

Good value for money, especially if you hop on/off.
 
A very enjoyable trip.
  

11/04/2017

Garuda Indonesia


I've travelled twice with Garuda Indonesia for international flights so far, and it is a good airline. 

The planes were modern and clean. Seating in Economy Class was decent and not as tight as in other airlines. 

My last flight with them was comfortable and punctual. The entertainment program was decent, but not as good as that offered by other international airlines for similar distances, and not as as good as Qantas Domestic for long flights. 

In my last flight, only five and a half hours long, they provided travellers with a snack at night and a full breakfast in the morning. Food was all right regarding taste and variety. 

The flight attendants were lovely both in the airport and on the plane, but the in-flight communications in English were a pain to listen to. 

In short, a good airline to fly with, but nothing one would be looking forward to unless the ticket includes a part of the route with them. 

Transavia Airlines


I flew with this airline as they did part of the European continental route I had with my KLM ticket. 

I had never heard of or travelled with this airline, so I had no expectations. This is a low-cost airline, similar to Jestar in Australia. 

The plane was pretty good, very nice colour scheme and very clean, but the plane had small leg room in Economy Class, no free meals, and no entertainment program whatsoever.

The flight attendants were most helpful and friendly.

If you want a cheap friendly flight this is your airline. If you want a bit of comfort I would go elsewhere. 

To be fair, I had a good flight with them.

Etihad Airlines


I was extremely excited when my last intercontinental ticket had a part of the route, a long flight, with Etihad. The airline is at the top of any list of best airlines in the world these days, how not to be excited? Yet, Etihad was the biggest disappointment ever. 

Etihad might be a super-duper airline for Business Class and First Class, but it is average regarding Economy Class. It certainly, does not match the service and comfort I've experienced in Economy for similar flights with Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, KLM and other airlines. 

The plane was very pretty and looking very new and spotless clean. 

Leg room was very little, less than in other airlines, cattle travel, if you know what I mean. To me that ruins anything when you have a 14 hour travel and generates me plenty of physical trouble. 

Food and snacks were decent, but not as good or abundant as with other airlines.

The entertainment program was good enough, but not really excellent, or as vast and varied as that of similarly rated airlines. 

The crew were lovely, polite and smiley and worn a very classy glamour uniform. 

Overall, nothing in my long flight made me think that I was travelling with one of the best airlines in the world, honestly. 

4/21/2017

Comfort Hotel Boersparken (Oslo, Norway)

Comfort Hotel Boersparken
Tollbugata 4, Oslo 0152, Norway
Phone: +47 22 47 17 17
Fax: +47 22 47 17 18
E-mail co.borsparken@choice.no
Photo courtesy of the Hotel

This hotel is basic simple hotel, an upgraded backpacker hotel for adults if you want, but it has everything you need in the heart of Oslo.

GOOD
> Location. It faces the National Opera House and the docks, and its a short walk from the train station and the some of the main sights, cafes and restaurants in the city centre.
> I found here one the most welcoming warmest staff in Norway. Always ready to help with a smile, and go the extra-mile to assist you.
> The reception has a small mini-shop with snacks and heatable pre-prepared boxed food if you just want a sandwich or something simple.
> The lounge, is also the dining room and offers free coffee and chocolate to customers, for free, all day long. You just use the self-serving machines.
> The lounge is large and with many different seating areas.
> Lifts are secure, and function with your key card.
> Wi-fi was good, fast and reliable.

SO SO
Breakfast was varied, buffet like, and had a bit of everything, but nothing exciting. I have had better breakfast buffet in similar hotels in Norway.

NO NOS
> The place is hectic, crowded and quite noisy. Lifts are always crowded.
> Our room was at the bottom end of a corridor and had two single beds, single as in my size, if you are tall, it is not good. One of them was underneath a staircase space, tiny space, no bedside table; the other bed was upstairs, very steep stairs, also very basic. Just a stool in each space. Two steep stairs to the bathroom, which was OK. A metallic bar with three hangers.
> The key card MUST be used to lock the door when you leave the room. Otherwise, the door stays open. I haven't found that sort of system anywhere in the world! The instructions were at the back of the card, but most hotels have self-locking doors on exit.
> No curtains, just roller blinds. No problem with that except, if they are up, you have to go upstairs to bring them down, or do team work with the person upstairs to bring them to your level thought it was ridiculous!

MY RECOMMENDATION
There are other hotels 5 minutes walking distance from this, as central as this is, at a fraction of the price. Personally, I would stay in one of those. Like the Citybox Hotel for example. 

Scandic Park Helsinki (Finland)

Scandic Park Helsinki
Mannerheimintie 46, Helsinki 00260, Finland 
Phone: +358 9 47371
Fax: +358 9 47372211
Email: parkhelsinki@scandichotels.com
Photo courtesy of the hotel website

This is one of my favourite hotels of the Scandic chain. Loved loved this hotel!

Location if good, central but in the outskirts of the CBD, so you have both a good location minus the crowds.

The common areas, lounges, eating areas, corridors and rooms are luxurious without being flashy; they are elegant, but modern, trendy and with plenty of very posh design elements.

Our room was like one of those you see in the movies. Wonderfully elegant, spacious, great design armchairs, comfortable beds, marbled bathroom with heated floor and bathtub, good set of toiletries, wonderful palette of colours, everything you need. Very comfortable and very pleasing to the eye.

The hotel has great facilities, pool and what's not, but I didn't use any of those.

The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Breakfast buffet was wonderful, lots of variety and was very good. I found the Asian specialities a bit limited, which is not a problem for me, but if you eat mostly Asian food it might be.

The hotel is great for both travellers and business people. It was very busy when we visited, however, it never felt crowded.

We had free Internet, and worked well and fast.

A bit pricey, but well-spent money. I truly enjoyed my stay.

TIPS
> The Finnair Airport Bus stops 150 metres from the hotel. You ask the driver and he will call you when you are there. Unless you want to waste your money in taxis or transfers, or you are carrying a huge amount of luggage, this is the cheapest way to get there, 6 euro the ticket, bus with Wi-Fi and you walk for four minutes.
> There are a few fast food outlets around the hotel if you just want a quick cheap bite..

Flytoget Airport Express (Oslo, Norway)

Photo courtesy of the Visit Oslo Website

 Flytoget is one of the cheapest, fastest comfortable means to get to the airport. Cheap for Norway, of course. There are other ways to get to the airport, cheaper, but not as convenient.

The train is located on the station's ground area, and you can buy the tickets through their website, through their app, or just at the station by using their ticket vending machines (using cash or credit card). At working hours there are different staff members helping customers with the machines.

Trains run very frequently, so if you miss one, another will be there in about 10-15 minutes. And the train being a specific service to the airport, it is very punctual.

The train is fast, has short stops in different places between the airport and the central station, and is very comfortable. There is a screen with scheduled flights arrivals and departures and some tourist info.

Taking into account the prices of everything in Norway, the ticket is OK. Children under 16 travel for free if accompanied by an adult; half price for kids from 16 and 20, students from 21-31yoa and retires over 67, and full price for adults without a concession.

The only thing I disliked is that the carriages have no ramps to the platforms, so you have to move your suitcase inside by using your muscles, which is not great if your suitcase if very heavy. Also the space devoted to the luggage has not barrier or stopping bar, so the suitcases with wheels tend to move in and out the compartments.

Overall, very good. I will take it again if I return to Oslo.