For my father and I, escaping to Siem Reap for Memorial Day Weekend was a welcome respite from Bangkok’s perpetual hubbub. Even though we had grown used to the crowded, chaotic, and steamy streets of the city, we appreciated the change of pace in the quaint and sleepy river town. Siem Reap has a long history, but it wasn’t until Angkor Wat was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site that it started to attract international tourists (like us). Continue reading “At Angkor Wat and Beyond”
Far more than a bird house
A few days before we were set to arrive in Siem Reap, we received an email from the management of the Aviary Hotel with some exciting news: they were arranging a complimentary airport transfer for us. Seeing that we landed just as the daily monsoon was rolling in, we were really happy that we didn’t have to find our own way to the property. The driver who met us in the arrivals hall was a hotel employee, and he was kind and welcoming. He took our bags and offered us bottled water and cold towels… all before we settled into the van! In hindsight, we shouldn’t have been so surprised by the high standards of service; such hospitality is the norm, not the exception, at the Aviary.
If you own Hyatt’s cobranded credit card, you may have heard about an exciting, albeit controversial, promotion valid from September through to the end of 2017: you now only need 20 nights to qualify for the program’s highest elite status, Globalist level. You previously needed 60! Continue reading “On Hyatt’s Globalist “Fast Track” promotion: is it fair?”
I kinda want to go to Saipan
Don’t ask me why, but I’ve long been fascinated by obscure travel destinations. Saipan, the largest island in the Northern Mariana chain, is a new intrigue for me. I realize that it may not be the best place to be right now, given North Korea’s threats to that region, but this is more of a speculative post. One day I want to go there, and here are some of the considerations I would take when planning this trip. Continue reading “Higher Flying to the edge of the Earth?”
While The Higher Flyer would be considered by many to be a travel blog, it focuses primarily on the journey instead of the destination. There are many talented writers who’ll prominently feature their experiences on the ground, closely documenting the sights they see and the foods they taste, while largely ignoring how they actually got there. I prefer to write about airlines and hotels and the like — and that’s fine, everyone has different interests and styles — but I also like to fancy myself as an “iPhone photographer.” I think one of the best ways to experience a place is to explore it and take pictures of what you find; it forces you to not only seek out interesting spots… Continue reading “On the inclusion of photo tours”
As I quote in the introductory post to the trip report, Bangkok is described as a “town of juxtapositions.” The sprawling metropolis, also affectionately referred to as “The Big Mango,” is well deserving of its characterization. It sits at the crossroads of the jungle and the sea, and between ancient traditions rooted in Buddhism and recent efforts to globalize. These four key influences all blend together in the city, and both visitors and residents alike are all in for a dynamic treat. Some might find it all to be a bit too stimulating and overwhelming, and don’t get me wrong, being on your feet in Bangkok can soon become exhausting, but it truly is a spectacle in a nearly otherworldly way.
Alliances play huge roles in higher flying, and in order to really elevate your travels, it’s best to understand how they operate and shape the industry. The strategic partnerships formed between airlines all over the world create unique opportunities and easily allow passengers to go to places in ways that would otherwise be much more difficult and/or expensive. Despite how useful alliances can be, they’re not particularly easy to understand, and I often get a number of questions about their basic functions. To help clear up some confusion, here’s a list of FAQs!
A prestigious property that earns its namesake
My father and I landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at around 11pm, capping off a whopping 33 hours of nonstop transit time. I love flying, but United Economy class gets old after a while… It was time to go to bed for a long time. The Okura Prestige proved to be a worthy place to do just that!
The Higher Flyer 
Air Asia Hot Seats mini-Review
“Should I pay for that?”
This shouldn’t be a surprise given the headline, but this post won’t be a full-blown review. It primarily seeks to answer some frequently asked questions: are a few extra inches of space/baggage/food worth the extra cost? If you’re flying on a low cost carrier like AirAsia, there’s a good chance you’re budget conscious and you want to balance your comfort with your expenses. Perhaps this post will give you a better sense of what to expect. Continue reading “Air Asia Hot Seats mini-Review” →