Akureyri and Northern Iceland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Akureyri and Northern Iceland Today’s Misstep- My hostel was self-service, and someone was in my bed. Travel Advice: Be on time if you are on a tour. FAQ: How do I navigate the city bus system when I don’t speak the language? Response: I traveled around the world for 90 days, and most of the time, I did not speak the language of that country. I had some challenges riding the bus in some cities; for example, Reykjavik, Iceland, was a minor disaster. You can use travel apps like Rome to Rio for bus or train travel guidance. You'll be able to get to the...
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Louisville, and the Kentucky Derby
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ: How do I make small talk when you are on the road with a stranger? Destination: Louisville, Ky Today’s Mistake-Getting lost in Louisville Travel Advice: Pack half your suitcase with giveaways and gifts. FAQ: How do I make small talk with a stranger when you are on the road? Start small with a question or comment about the weather, date, location, or event you are both at or have just attended. Do they seem to have something in common with you? You can gently ask how they are doing today. Today’s destination: Louisville, KY Derby is on the...
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"Solo Journeys in India: Navigating the Transport Tapestry via tuk-tuks, trains and planes….”
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
"Solo Journeys in India: Navigating the Transport Tapestry via tuk-tuks, trains and planes….” Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide for women like you who need extra support traveling the world (slowly), one woman at a time. Please rate this podcast and the Amazon book series, especially Part B on Destinations! I’ve been traveling solo since 1972 and writing about it since 1993. Now you can experience the Top Selling Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, a Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. I recently...
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"Table for One: Dining Tips and Tricks for Solo Female Travelers"
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
"Savoring Solitude: Women's Guide to Eating Out Alone While Traveling" "Table for One: Dining Tips and Tricks for Solo Female Travelers" You have three meals a day, and you are solo. What do you do to enjoy these meals by yourself? You can have some great times if you follow these tips, or maybe you can add more tips for other travelers. Eating out alone can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for solo travelers, including women aged 60 and above. Here are some tips to make dining alone more comfortable and enjoyable: Choose the Right Restaurant: Choose restaurants...
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San Francisco Airport "Wings and Wanderlust"
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode: FAQ: What questions should you ask someone you know who traveled somewhere you like? Destination: San Francisco Airport "Wings and Wanderlust: Solo Female Traveler's Guide to SFO" Today’s Mistake- I left my phone on the airline counter at the SFO airport. Travel Advice: Relax in the Airport Yoga Room, if in SFO anyway…. FAQ: What questions should you ask someone you know who traveled somewhere you like? Answers 1 or 2 1. Ask the right questions if you want to get good responses to your questions about others' travels. Instead of “How was...
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Osaka Japan
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode: FAQ: What do you do when a significant change in weather interrupts your travel? Destination: Osaka, Japan Today’s Mistake- My global entry card has my name wrong. Travel Advice: Use AI when planning your next trip FAQ: A Facebook group member asked us, “What do you do when a significant change in weather interrupts your travel?” Answer: Unexpected weather changes are not uncommon, but they can still pose a challenge when traveling, especially when solo. If I were faced with a sudden shift from sunny and warm to rainy and cold weather while on a trip, I...
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National Park Service and Foundation
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Mistake- I was a stunt woman at Universal Studios and ended up in the hospital. Travel Advice: Always pack a bathing suit. Today’s destination: National Park Foundation and Service I support the National Park Service in the USA by purchasing a yearly wall calendar. The images are beautiful. I also have a Senior Pass, which you can get for your lifetime, starting at age 62. Buy it at any park or online. Don’t lose it. It’s worth a lot for your traveling. Membership has its perks! That includes free admission. Have you been to Yosemite? Yellowstone? Are...
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Best of Cairns Australia
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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South Goa India Plus masking up, losing my credit card, getting massages
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, FAQ is: When do I need a mask? Today’s Destination is: South Goa, India Today’s Misstep- I left my credit card behind. Travel Advice: Get a massage FAQ: When do I need a mask in 2024 Guidelines for wearing face masks vary depending on the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and local regulations. It's essential to stay informed about the latest guidance from health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other relevant local health departments. The need to wear a face mask can depend on factors...
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North Goa, India Plus increasing brain power, my missteps
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, FAQ is: Amanda asked me, How can I increase my brain power, mental memory and travel better? Today’s Destination is: North Goa, India Today’s Misstep- Tripped on a curb going up. FAQ: Response For solo travelers, Improving brain power, memory, and cognitive capacity while traveling involves a combination of lifestyle habits, mental exercises, and proper nutrition. Here are some tips that enhanced my cognitive abilities on the go: Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can impair cognitive function, so drink enough water throughout the day. Healthy Nutrition: Consume...
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?
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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.
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