Las Vegas, Nevada Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ is: I’m going on a long trip, but I’m only allowed to bring one small carry-on. How can I manage? Today’s Destination is Las Vegas. Part 2 outdoors. Today’s Misstep- I forgot the tent. Travel Advice: Protect yourself. FAQ: I’m going on a long trip but can only bring one small carry-on. The airline rules and my trip leaders limit the baggage. How can I manage? Las Vegas. Part 2 outdoors Connect with Dr. Travelbest
info_outline
Las Vegas Nevada Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ: A good friend who doesn’t want to be named asked me how not to try to do it all. The point of the question was to limit the fear of missing out. How do I reduce my FOMO and add more JOMO (the Joy of missing out) when I travel? Today’s Destination is Las Vegas. Part 1 Indoor activities for travelers Today’s Misstep- I Spilled the candle wax at my airbnb and made a mess. Travel Advice: Look for adventure close to home. FAQ: How do I reduce my FOMO and add more JOMO (the Joy of missing out) when I travel? Las Vegas. Part 1 ? Today’s...
info_outline
Los Angeles Post Fires Travel, Power Check, and Circular Travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ: Should I go out at night when on a solo trip? Mistake in travel: Check the connection, battery and power bank Today’s Travel Advice- Travel in one direction, in a circle I see some bright spots, but it will be a while before LA returns as a major travel destination, so pay attention and use the Watch Duty App. Mistake in travel: Check the connection, battery life, and power bank So often, my laptop is not connected to electricity, or my battery runs out of juice. One more thing to remember is power. If you have a portable battery, remember to...
info_outline
Best of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode: The FAQ is: What is your purpose for traveling? Today’s Special episode: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Part 1 Today’s Mistake- Time zone mayhem Travel Advice: Prioritize Flexibility In this episode: FAQ What is your purpose for travel? Answer: My purpose for traveling and especially solo travel, is to reach into places that may not be the most populated and to connect with women where they are to help bridge the culture gap. World peace is the ultimate goal for seeing this through. If I can reach 1,000,000 women and help 1000 of them travel solo, that...
info_outline
Best of Naples Florida And Consolidating Luggage Into A Personal Item
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode: The FAQ is: A reader asks, I recently booked a trip, and the airfare included no carry-on bag. How can I manage to travel without a carry-on? Today’s Destination: NAPLES, FLA Today’s Mistake- I lost my horse. Travel Advice: MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY Answer: Destination: Naples, FL Today’s Mistake: I lost my horse. Today’s Travel Advice: MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY Connect with Dr Travelbest email:
info_outline
Best of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor Maine
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: “What is air travel like these days, and what is different? Today’s Destination is Acadia National Park Today’s Mistake- My own car crash in parking garage Travel Advice: Travel pillows FOR SLEEPING on planes FAQ: “What is air travel like these days, and what is different? AARP is offering some airline travel tips that may answer this question. First, some facts. In 2019, the FAA reported 146 cases of bad behavior on planes, but in 2021, that number grew to more than 1,000. That was out of nearly 6,000 cases of unruly...
info_outline
Special Edition: London, England Airports Ranked
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Special Edition: London, England Airports In this episode, the FAQ is: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025? Today’s Destination is: London Airports Today’s Misstep- Wearing the wrong shoes Travel Advice: When buying an airline ticket, pause. FAQ: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025? Expect more opportunities for local immersion, where you can experience the daily life of local communities through homestays, service projects, and interactive cultural programs for seniors. Solo female travel is on the rise, with women...
info_outline
Delhi, India Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Delhi, India Part 2 In this episode, your FAQ is: Safety in India for solo travelers Today’s Destination is: Delhi, India. Part 2 Today’s Misstep- Cellphone issues that were my fault and more Travel Advice: Safety tips for travel in Delhi. FAQ: Let’s talk about safety in India. My friend Kathryn is going to Delhi and is worried about being a solo woman. Can I talk to her about what she can expect? The short answer is that Kathryn is already back home, and she had a great trip, but she was nervous and needed confirmation that all would be well. Today’s destination: Delhi, India Part 2...
info_outline
Delhi, India Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Delhi, India Part 1 In this episode, the FAQ is: My listeners ask: How do I check for the weather where I’m going? Today’s Destination is: Delhi, India Today’s Misstep- Stuck in India and missed the bus Travel Advice: Ask a group of people for directions FAQ: You asked me how to get the most reliable weather forecast: Here’s how> Use apps like AccuWeather, weather.com, and windy or local services, with hourly and long-range forecasts, radar maps, and severe weather alerts. For more local alerts, sign up for location-based apps on Google...
info_outline
Phu Quoc Vietnam
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Phu Quok, Vietnam In this episode, the FAQ is: What’s the best water bottle for travel? Today’s Destination is: Phu Quoc, Vietnam Today’s Misstep- I Booked a room under construction and How I upgraded. Travel Advice: Take a small risk, not always a big one in Vietnam FAQ: What’s the best water bottle for travel? The top 10 water bottles for a solo senior female traveler will be on this list, including price, from the least to most expensive in the show notes. They range from $11 to $90. Vapur Anti-Bottle Collapsible Water Bottle - $11–$14 Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free...
info_outlineMekong Delta, Vietnam
Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide for women like you who need extra support traveling (slowly) one woman at a time. Please share this podcast with your mom, aunts, and friends. I appreciate your feedback.
I’ve returned from a 90-day trip around the globe to every time zone on the planet. My mission is world peace through cultural exchange. I was sustainable when I could by using local transportation, buses, and trains. I was solo, carrying a small backpack, called a “personal item,” that fit under the seat in front of me on a plane.
In this episode, the FAQ is: What was the most memorable experience on the 90-day trip?
.
Today’s Destination is the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Today’s Mistake- Booking last-minute hotel rooms
Travel Advice: - Have a backup plan, even with Pre-Clearance options, such as in Dublin, Ireland
FAQ: What was the most memorable experience on the 90-day trip?
Answer: One of the most memorable things was going to a community protest movement in Tel Aviv, Israel. The family I was staying with, including a mom and her two children, was planning to attend a protest. She asked me if I would like to come. I said yes, even though I had not been to a protest in decades. It was peaceful. It was attended by about 50 people in front of the Pardes Hanna City Hall. I did not understand the words, the signs, or the full message, but I felt the personal impact that it was important to these people to be heard and seen. See the show notes for details.
Today’s destination: Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Going through 6 countries, the Mekong River flows 3,000 miles from the Tibetan plateau to the South China Sea. It boasts the world's largest inland fishery. It accounts for up to 25 percent of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for millions of people.
You may even see live crocodiles; even though I did not, you can swim in the river.
From the lobby of my HCMC hotel, Me Gusta, I booked a two-day tour for $59 plus $6 for a single room. This was a low-budget tour, but I did not know it then. This tour was to the Mekong Delta, so here are a few highlights of that English-guided tour.
https://localvietnam.com/tours/mekong-delta/
The Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is a vast maze of rivers, swamps, and islands, home to floating markets, Khmer pagodas, and rice paddies. Boats are the primary means of transportation, and tours of the region often start in nearby Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho, a bustling town in the heart of the delta.
My tour hotel was two-star. It had cockroaches. Breakfast was two eggs on a plate, and that was it. I asked for more and got one more egg.
Here is where some courage kicked in after breakfast. I was directed to ride on the back of a motorcycle during the morning rush hour to the tour bus in light rain. That was how I got to my bus on day 2. I had no choice, so I agreed. We rode over a bridge that had collapsed in 2007, said my tour driver, Andy, from Sunrise Tours.
Later that day, Andy was the one who arranged my adjusted bus trip, and to get to the public bus instead of going back to Ho Chi Minh City, he got me to Phu Quok. I got picked up at the Farm Place. Before getting on this bus, I had to remove my shoes. That was how they kept the bus clean. We stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, which was filthy.
It took the Futa bus to Can Tho and a van to the bus station. I took the Superdong Ferry to Pho Quok. To get there, I had to get to the Phuong Trang bus station and head to Rach Gia.
The island of Phu Quok, felt like Hawaii to me. Immediately, I felt the tropical breezes and much tension was gone. I got a massage first thing. I needed it, as I had been feeling miserable with a sinus infection for the past two days.
Without a hotel reservation, I walked along the main downtown commercial area with many touristy places strip until I found a nice place with a room. The room was noisy, and construction noise was on the other side of the wall, so I asked to be moved and was. I stayed at a beach bungalow and then rested. Once I felt good, I swam in the ocean at sunset. I slept well, rose early for a 5 a.m. taxi to the airport, and was the first one at the airport for a flight on Vietjet Airlines.
No freeways. 1-2 lanes each way. Motorcycles and lots of noisy horn beeps.
Today’s Mistake-.Booking last-minute hotel rooms
It was a mistake to book last-minute hotel rooms in Vietnam. I should have done my research before and picked some more congenial places. Instead, I got what were leftovers that no one else wanted. I was not sad because I did want to experience what the locals experienced. And I had that. If I were to do it again, I would have planned better and been more sure about what my rooms would be like.
Today’s Travel Advice- Have a backup plan, even with Pre-Clearance options, such as in Dublin, Ireland
Always have a backup plan in case your trip is interrupted. I heard about some passengers who arrived at Dublin Airport expecting to fly home to the USA, but when they arrived, the customs office was closed, so they missed their flights. Instead, they had to pay a lot to book on other airlines. It cost them dearly. If they had a backup plan or had looked into this situation, they could have avoided this issue. The show notes have details on this pre-clearance.
https://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/travelling-to-usa/faqs
I want to bring meaning to your travels. Send a question or travel tip to [email protected]. Sign up for the mailing list here. We can connect on my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Subscribe to YouTube, Twitter, or other social channels. Find the 5 Steps to Solo Travel series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect. Support this podcast with a review, please.
Connect with Dr. Travelbest
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group
email: [email protected]