December 3, 2014

Buxian Bridge in Huangshan, China

Buxian Bridge


After traversing a series of dizzying trails that hug the side of Mt. Huang, the path leads right into a rock face and out on to Buxian Bridge which spans the chasm between two giant rock faces.


While the bridge was built in 1987, it very deliberately looks as though it was built much earlier. The concrete bridge is only a few feet across, but the elaborate design work used on the hand rails give the short span the feel of some ancient Chinese relic built by an ancient dynasty of some sort. The rift often fills with impenetrable clouds of fog that are common to the region (and which actually give the surrounding Xihai Grand Canyon its name, Xihai meaning "West Sea" referring to the foggy oceans of clouds surrounding the peaks).


The bridge has earned the nickname the "Fairy Walking Bridge" thanks to the fantastical, otherworldly vibe that the pass has. In fact the entire hiking area is referred to as the "Magic Scenic Area" thanks to the stunning paths alont the cliff sides and other natural features such as a peak known as the "Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion" which tends to punch up through the cloud layer. Even if it is a recent, man-made bridge, the Buxian span is one of the more magical places on the Earth.




















from Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com.feedsportal.com/c/35387/f/665719/s/411a61dc/sc/10/l/0L0Satlasobscura0N0Cplaces0Cbuxian0Ebridge/story01.htm

The Milky Way over Milford Sound

Low F-Stops on Star Shots Veterans already know this, so you guys can just skip over this part! But if you’re just starting to get into star photography, one of the most important things is having a low f-stop on your lens. This means a LOT of light can get in over the exposure. For […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/04/the-milky-way-over-milford-sound/

“Multiple, invasive” repairs on my air conditioning unit – can you help?





from Elliott http://elliott.org/problem-solved/multiple-invasive-repairs-air-conditioning-unit-can-help/

Advertising: To Buoy Tourism, a Campaign Turns to Social Media

To encourage tourism, Bermuda turned to social media as a way to advertise.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41196ee9/sc/4/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A40Cbusiness0Cmedia0Cto0Ebuoy0Etourism0Ein0Ebermuda0Ea0Ecampaign0Eturns0Eto0Esocial0Emedia0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

50,000 Point Signup Bonus for Southwest Visa Still Available

Despite predictions some made to the contrary, there’s still a 50,000 point signup bonus available for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Premier Card from Chase. The card has a $99 annual fee and comes with 50,000 points after $2,000 spend on purchases within 3 months of account opening. As I wrote a couple of months […]


The post 50,000 Point Signup Bonus for Southwest Visa Still Available appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/50000-point-signup-bonus-southwest-visa-still-available/

Travis’ Asian Adventure: Cleared To GO!

As you may have read, I've been recovering from my mountaineering accident a couple months ago. I guess this was good a time as any to have a broken leg, as I didn't have any travel scheduled for the entire fall, which was unusual for us. I could focus on my recovery without feeling like I was missing anything.


That's about to change. We now have a big trip coming up.


Though it's been in the planning phases for months, I've been reluctant to write about this trip because at various times over the last few months it seemed unlikely to happen, for obvious reasons. I also didn't want to jinx it. But this week, I had a checkup with my orthopod and was given the green light. OK, it's not a see-it-from-mile-away-neon-green light, maybe more like pea-soup green light, but it's green nonetheless. I'm excited.


The post Travis’ Asian Adventure: Cleared To GO! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/travis-asian-adventure-cleared-go/

Win a Year’s Photo Hosting on Smugmug and Help People in Central America

It is time once again for the annual Passports With Purpose event to raise money for good causes around the world. In the past Passports With Purpose has built schools, water wells and entire villages. This year they will be giving to Sustainable Harvest International to help farmers in Central America. You can read more [...]



from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/12/03/win-years-photo-hosting-smugmug-help-people-central-america/

Loyalty Programs that Surprise and Delight Engender Both Appreciation.. and Bitterness

I’ve just received 1000 free Hyatt points ‘as a Diamond member and Hyatt Visa cardholder’. Naturally this has me speculating that it’s funded in part by Chase. Perhaps because Diamonds benefit less from the credit card since they have no use for its free Platinum status, although on the other hand Hyatt Diamonds likely places […]


The post Loyalty Programs that Surprise and Delight Engender Both Appreciation.. and Bitterness appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/loyalty-programs-surprise-delight-engender-appreciation-bitterness/

Surfacing: Opening the Gate to a Vibrant Main Street in Greenville, S.C.

Falls Park became a spark for a pedestrian-friendly city center when it opened in 2004.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41181a61/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A70Ctravel0Copening0Ethe0Egate0Eto0Ea0Evibrant0Emain0Estreet0Ein0Egreenville0Esc0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Could air travel be like this again?

Remember when flying used to be romantic and glamorous? A new tourist attraction will send you back in time.





from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/03/travel/pan-am-experience/index.html

Amex Small Business Saturday Credits Posting

Amex Small Business Saturday is one of the most lucrative promotions American Express has run the past few years. While some American Express cards have somewhat high annual fees, American Express offers so many ways to get cash back, which in many cases more than offset the annual fees. For example, just a few weeks ago they paid $150 of my phone bill.


This year for Small Business Saturday, American Express offered up to three $10 statement credits per card when you shopped at a small business on Saturday, November 29, 2014.


It was interesting to see the different thoughts all of you had on this promotion after the fact. Some thought it wasn't worth the effort for "just" a $10 statement credit per transaction, while others maximized the heck out of the promotion.


The post Amex Small Business Saturday Credits Posting appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/amex-small-business-saturday-credits-posting/

Heads Up: Taiwan, an Island of Green in Asia

In recent years, Taiwan has seen the development of a number of eco-friendly initiatives, from a protected marine habitat to a high-speed rail system to a ban on shark-fin soup.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4117f15d/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A70Ctravel0Ctaiwan0Ean0Eisland0Eof0Egreen0Ein0Easia0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

In Transit Blog: In Hawaii, a Pearl Harbor Rememberance

The 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor will be observed in Hawaii with a keynote speech, a concert and a gala.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4117f16a/sc/8/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A30Cin0Ehawaii0Ea0Epearl0Eharbor0Erememberance0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

I Heart My City: Magda’s Warsaw

Magda Przedmojska delights in sharing her city with the rest of the world—that's why she's a regular contributor to Spotted By Locals Warsaw. Though this avid traveler has lived elsewhere—from Aberdeen to Berlin—the Polish capital has her heart. "Warsaw is still the place to be because of my friends and family—the most important people in my life," she says. Here are some of the reasons Magda describes her hometown as "quite a nice melting point to visit."



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/03/i-heart-my-city-magdas-warsaw/

Fare War Tip: Maximize the $400 British Airways Discount from AARP

AARP is always good for a generous travel discount. However, the reduction offered on British Airways flights is perhaps one of the most generous. Members get a choice of discount ranging from $65-$400 on round-trip flights originating in the U.S., depending on which cabin you’re traveling in: $65 off Economy $130 off Premium Economy $400 […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/maximizing-the-400-british-airways-discount-from-aarp.html

Review: Element Frankfurt Airport

I've been waiting anxiously for a couple of years now for the Element Frankfurt Airport to open. Not because I was necessarily excited about the property, but rather because I was curious.


I've reviewed many of the other chain hotel options in Frankfurt, including the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport, Hilton Frankfurt Airport, Hilton Frankfurt, Le Meridien Parkhotel Frankfurt, Westin Grand Frankfurt, and InterContinental Frankfurt.


Well, the Element Frankfurt Airport finally opened in late August 2014, so I was keen to check it out with this visit. While the hotel wasn't at all convenient for where I needed to be, I figured it was worth going out of my way to stay at it for a review. My rate was about 120EUR per night, which isn't cheap, though isn't horrible either.


For what it's worth, this is a Category 4 property, making a free night redemption 10,000 Starpoints per night, or a Cash & Points reservation 5,000 Starpoints plus $75 per night.


The post Review: Element Frankfurt Airport appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/review-element-frankfurt-airport/

Another Airline Goes Revenue-Based!

Star Alliance member (and Diners Club Rewards transfer partner) South African Airways is going to revenue-based mileage-earning starting February 1, 2015. They’ll award 1 mile per R1.60 spent on airfare and fuel surcharges This applies only to South African’s own flights THere’s no change to mileage-earning on partner flights. Unlike Delta and United, South African […]


The post Another Airline Goes Revenue-Based! appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/another-airline-goes-revenue-based/

10 Hours in Kuala Lumpur

The Taking of this Shot You can see a lot of what happened in the creation of this shot in this video below — enjoy! Daily Photo – 10 Hours in Kuala Lumpur I do love this airport! It's absolutely beautiful and the reflections are what I think really does it for me. I don't […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/03/10-hours-in-kuala-lumpur/

Travel’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Present ideas to make shopping easy this season.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41173737/sc/36/l/0L0Snytimes0N0Cinteractive0C20A140Cmultimedia0C20A140Eholiday0Egift0Eguide0Bhtml0D0Ir0F0A0Tpage0Ctravel0Gpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

“Make Ideas, Not Art”: The Sketchbook Workbook by Mike Rohde

If you’re like me, you have no drawing skills whatsoever (which means you’re probably not like me). No matter if you’re a closet M.C. Escher or can’t draw a basic stick-person – if want to improve how you capture ideas and share them with others, there’s hope. Remember our friend Mike Rohde, who illustrated The…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/sketchbook-workbook-mike-rohde/

My First Trip Of 2015: International First Class For $1,500

I put "mileage run" in quotes because it's not really a mileage run. Nowadays mileage running is for the most part dead, in my opinion. But there's still plenty of merit to finding good fares on fun routings for maximizing miles, ideally with stops at fun places in the process.


Oddly while economy airfare has increased drastically over the past several years, we've seen more discounted premium cabin revenue tickets lately than I ever recall seeing. Why? Probably because airlines are actually doing everything in their power to maximize revenue, rather than opening up award space or letting seats fly empty.


So what's the first "big" trip I booked for 2015?


I wrote several days ago about how British Airways has a global business class fare sale around the holidays, whereby they're selling roundtrip business class tickets to many destination around the world for ~£1000. The catch is that the promotion is only for travel originating in London between December 21, 2014 and January 3, 2015.


The post My First Trip Of 2015: International First Class For $1,500 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/first-trip-2015-international-first-class-1500/

36 Hours in Phnom Penh

Tranquil pagodas, thriving markets and a new wave of sleek bar options await visitors to the Cambodian capital.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4116bc3f/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A70Ctravel0Cthings0Eto0Edo0Ein0E360Ehours0Ein0Ephnom0Epenh0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

7 Tips for Being the Perfect Traveler’s Host

Join Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook.


After hosting travelers from every corner of the globe, Andrea Wren reveals 7 tips on how to be the host(ess) with the mostest.


The post 7 Tips for Being the Perfect Traveler’s Host appeared first on Vagabondish.






from Vagabondish http://www.vagabondish.com/7-tips-being-perfect-travelers-host/

Fifty Shades Of Grey Hotel Package

If you're anything like me, you're not looking forward to the Fifty Shades Of Grey movie, which comes out in 2015. The book was simply an artistic masterpiece, beautifully written -- an orgy of words, if you will -- and there's no way the movie can measure up to, let alone top the book.


But that won't stop some hotels from trying to capitalize on the movie coming out.


The Nira Caledonia hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, is offering a "50 Plaids of Wa-Hay" package. This package is described as follows:


The post Fifty Shades Of Grey Hotel Package appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/03/fifty-shades-of-grey-hotel-package/

International Real Estate: Real Estate in British Columbia

The 2008 financial crisis hit Whistler, British Columbia, hard, but its housing market is improving, with a pickup in sales and modest but steady price increases.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/411639a1/sc/22/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A40Crealestate0Creal0Eestate0Ein0Ebritish0Ecolumbia0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm