Britrail Passes are a rip-off. Save $100's by booking online direct

My wife and I were going to buy Britrail passes from a third-party (the only way non-UK citizens can buy them). A flexible 8 day pass (Senior, Standard Class) was going to be $539 AUD each.
We had our itinerary worked out, so we decided to try booking individual journeys online.

NationalRail website

Choose your time and fare

• Go to nationalrail.co.uk  
• You can book up to 12 weeks in advance.
• You can get an overview of the cheapest tickets possible. 
• After you select the cheapest, you will be redirected to the local rail company's booking website (e.g. Virgin Trains, CrossCountry Trains)
• Prices can be as low as 5 pounds (e.g. Inverness to Edinburgh). Sometimes First Class is the same price.
• When you choose your journey, you can select seats as well. You are emailed a booking reference number with your itinerary. You simply take this number, as well as the credit card you used to pay for the trip to a ticket machine at the station. 

Tallying up the 9 journeys around England and Scotland, we saved over $400 by booking directly. 

The train guru website: seat61.com has a similar topic.

Plan ahead and save heaps. Avoid Travel Agents.

Another tip. Accommodation on a Saturday night can be ridiculously expensive. Either travel on a night sleeper or check out B&B's for a fraction of the price.

Bagan accommodation Unbeatable location and value - Thande Hotel in Old Bagan

View from outdoor bar - sunset 

Buffet breakfast under the giant Acacia trees - river views

5 minutes' walk from the hotel, climb a temple for the sunrise

Pool and spa area - perfect for cooling off after morning touring

We stayed in a very comfortable Superior Bungalow (Garden view). No need to pay double the rate for a River view room (they face west so you cannot sit outside - too hot in the afernoon). The killer view is in the outdoor bar and restaurant under shady trees. Agoda price was lower than hotel website.
Rooms spotless, comfy beds, excellent toiletries for a 3 star hotel, even gowns in the room. The location is unbeatable. Free wifi.
Buffet breakfast catered for all. Dinner meals around from US$10. Five minutes walk to Uncle Lay's Restaurant (Delicious meals from $AUD2.50, $1 Rum Sour, $2 beer!). A torch is available at Reception for night walks.
You can hire e-bikes from hotel or down the road (a bit cheaper). ATM on site. You can pay in US$ (no change given so do your maths) or kyat or credit card. Great to relax by the attractive pool after a morning of touring. Loved watching the squirrels from our private verandah.
Just be wary of the foot of the bed. My wife and I knocked our feet on the exposed wooden edges.

Climbing the temples of Bagan and other travel tips

We thought the Myanmar Government had cracked down on climbing temples but as of October 2017, tourists can still climb numerous temples in Bagan.  Many temples have access to upper levels via internal stairways (watch your head and bring a torch). Souvenir sellers are only too pleased to lead you in the right direction (just look at their wares afterwards). No pressure, though.

Remove shoes (climbing is easier anyway), no shorts, no socks, no singlets. Wear long pants or sarongs.

This temple (5 mins walk from Bagan Thande Hotel) is perfect for sunrise viewing

The 13 storey viewing tower on the edge of the historical area is an alternative. Views are comparable to views from balloons (a Bagan bargain at $US5 admission vs $US 350) Balloons can not fly over temple area.

Go to the Bagan Viewing Tower (near Nyaung-U Airport) before 9 a.m. so the sun is behind you for best view of the temple area.

Waiting for sunrise

Bring a torch and mind your head.

Follow the e-bikes for the best view

e-bike hire is cheap , top speed 40km/h, easy to ride

Hotel room confessions by A. Guest

Whenever my wife and I stay in a hotel, there are certain things we do:

1. Rearrange the furniture if necessary. In the above photo we have moved the couch, rug, chair and coffee table because for some reason it was facing away from the view. We move everything back before we check out.
2. Smell the room .... dead giveaway for dampness or poor air conditioning.
3. Open the curtains - view of car park? close to tennis court noise? kids' pool noise?
4. Check fridge temperature. Take out the mini bar items to make room for our booze/nibbles. Those tamper-proof minibars are a pain, but seem to be dying out.
5. Check out the pillows - like foam/hate feather. Ring Housekeeping.
6. Turn on television. Check picture quality, access to cable, remote control is functioning.
7. Make ice if there is a freezer in fridge or find ice maker room.
8. Ask how flexible checkout time is, the day before we leave.
9. Tidy up, clear surfaces before the maids comes in, they have a shitty enough job as it is.
10. Check hotel internet policy (download limit, complimentary wifi?).
11. Don't wait to have a bitch session on trip advisor, complaining days later. Ring Guest Services or go to Reception if something is wrong, but say it nicely. No one likes a scene.

Travelling around Japan with Japan Rail

Buy your Japan Rail Pass in your home country. This is crucial. Decide on 7, 14 or 21 days. One 7 day pass is about the cost of return Tokyo - Kyoto, so it's great value. Green Car is First Class (a LOT more) and not worth the money. Shinkansen ('bullet trains') are very comfortable, lots of leg room, reclining seats, pull down tray tables. Don't travel in busy periods like Summer/Festival times and you won't need reserved seats. Most of the carriages have unreserved seating. Ample luggage storage in carriages. Because it is Japan, everyone is beautifully mannered. The ticket inspectors and attendants bow to the whole carriage before exiting.  Some carriages even have "quiet cars" no cell phones. Yay!

If you land in Osaka (Kanzai Airport), you can use your Japan Rail Pass as soon as you have activated it (Japan Rail Office in the terminal). We had a night at the airport hotel (an easy walk across the walkway). Train Stations are under the terminal. Be sure use JR lines and stations not Private owned lines. High speed trains are ALWAYS on time. They leave on time, TO THE SECOND.

If you land in Tokyo (Narita Airport) you can use your JR Pass to board the fast Narita Express to Tokyo. The JR pass lets you use some subway lines (the huge JR circle lines which surround both Tokyo and Osaka metropolises get you anywhere) and even some ferries on the Inland Sea. 

Download Hyperdia. Indispensable journey planner and timetable. Put in the time you want to depart and the method of transportation and it shows you times, platform numbers, length of journey. Print out for the days ahead or save offline pages.

Buy delicious, freshly made Obento (segmented boxes of Japanese goodies) in the vast underground shopping arcades under major train stations, or buy boxes (still made fresh) on the platform in kiosks or food and drink (including reasonable priced beer) is sold on board by efficient roaming trolley dollies (I'm sure there is a more polite Japanese term). 

Using a base city/cities

Tokyo is an excellent base to explore Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, Fuji area.

Kyoto or Nagoya are excellent base cities for day trips. Osaka great for day trips to Nara, Kobe, Kyoto.

Stay in ryokan (traditional inns) in smaller towns (Takamatsu has some excellent one).

Booking is through Japan Tourist Bureau website or many have own websites.

Because of the high speed trains you can travel hundreds of kilometres easily in a day. Average speeds of 300  km/hr. Every town on the main line between Hiroshima and Shin Osaka seems to have its own stunning castle, Himeji (featured in 007's You Only Live Twice) and Okayama are notable.

We travelled from Nagoya and Nagasaki, over 900 km and arrived fresh and ready to explore a new city.

We took a day trip from Osaka to Miyajima Island, all trains, ferries covered on your JR Pass. The red tori gate is even better than in the photo.

Kyoto needs at least 4 days to explore, without leaving the city. If basing yourself in Osaka, Nara is the   must-do day trip. Osaka itself is a very cool city, smaller than Tokyo but with a definite personality. Osaka Castle was a big surprise.

Nagasaki is worth the visit, despite the distance. The most European of all Japanese cities. Japan is a great destination. Bone up on a bit of history before you go. It will enhance the experience.

This was our fourth trip and we are raring to go again.

Golden Pavilion, Kyoto

Lord Howe Island - Australia's best kept secret

It is about 2 hours flying time (from Sydney by Qantas turbo prop) in the South Pacific. It is part of Australia in the state of New South Wales. Only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at any one time.

Imagine a cross between Tahiti and Kangaroo Island (South Australia). Unique bird life. Amazing bush walks, rainforests, rock climbing. Snorkel, cycle and hand feed metre long fish on Ned's Beach. There is a range of accommodation available from self-catered units to upscale luxury lodges. Weather is mild throughout the year (20-25 degrees Celsius max, most rain in the winter months).

TIPS

• Food and alcohol are pricey if you are self-catering. We stuck a wine cask in our luggage.
• Use visitnsw website.
• The island is less than 1km wide in parts, total length about 10 km. Hire a bike. Cars are sparse.
• Pack a jacket, can get windy. 
• You can hire snorkelling gear there.
• The local museum is very informative.
• Walks range from 1 hour to full day.
• It is hard to take a bad photo!

We couldn't take off for two days due to strong winds. But being stranded in paradise was hardly tough.

A cheap bastard's guide to travelling

Here are some random travelling tips:

• Travel agents are redundant. We have not used a travel agent for many years after several stuff ups - thanks, Flight Centre - and that grinning prat isn't even a pilot. They don't shop around for you and always want to sell you their "preferred" travel insurance. If something goes wrong with your flight booking once you have left the country, you are on your own. Deal with the airline direct. Airlines can beat all quotes on their websites. Cut out the middleman.
• Flights  Investigate round-the-world fares, travelling return to a destination is sometimes more expensive than a round-the-world fare with Star Alliance or One World, plus there are no seasonal surcharges.
• Travel Insurance  If you travel overseas more than once a year it will pay you to get a "gold" credit card that includes travel insurance cover (e.g. Amex). We have had two claims using this cover - both resolved beautifully. Do the maths - yearly card fee is around $200 - you can't buy much travel insurance for a family for $200. Plus you get perks like Qantas Club lounge access if you play your cards right. You also get frequent flyer points with your card.
• Accommodation Use trip advisor website hotel reviews. Check out best rooms, views, proximity to supermarkets, restaurants, train stations. Use google maps to ascertain walking distance. Ask to see the room on check-in - this eliminates moving rooms later because of crap view, smoky smell, dampness, etc. Don't unpack until you are happy with the room. Always bring a plastic bowl, knife, spoon - invaluable for self-catering. We took a small sandwich maker once to Europe - amazing range of hot dishes are possible, from mini pizzas to warming up stuff. Yes, I know I am a cheap bastard. Don't forget to open a window if you have sandwich maker on - in case of automatic fire alarms. Many hotel rooms include microwaves now, anyway.  Pack a powerboard/extension cord and international  plug adaptor. Invaluable for charging, watching movies on your device in airport lounges when there is a delay.
• Money  Download Oanda currency converter cheat sheet. Good to know best time for ATM withdrawals.
• Transport  Walking and taking public transport is the best way of getting a feel for a city. Plus it is cheap. You can travel the entire Beijing, Buenos Aires or Mexico City subway network for less than a dollar. NEVER pre-pay for airport transfers in your home country. Many airports have integrated train links to the city. Even Los Angeles, a city renowned for its reliance on motor cars, has a brilliant underground system. We have travelled with our daughter from the age of two - using everything from the Rio de Janeiro underground to the river ferries in Bangkok.

Images Copyright courier-mail.com; depositphotos.com

• One last point: Don't wait until you retire to do all your travelling overseas. Travelling with a kid, despite all the hassles, heightens the experience. But, let's face it, travelling before you have kids is even BETTER. Travelling as a couple, now your daughter is old enough to house-sit is the BEST.

Where the f**k is Niue?

This is my first travel blog (trog?). In 2010 my family spent a week on this incredible island. Niue is 2400 km northeast of New Zealand. Population about 1300. Air New Zealand have weekly flights from Auckland. Go there if you like:

• Whale watching (middle of the year)
• Swimming with dolphins without the crowds
• Snorkelling
• Cycling (you can cycle around the island in half a day with stops)
• Hiking through weird coral chasms
• Swimming in vast, subterranean water holes
• Fresh fish (listen for the icecream van chimes outside your door - fantastic tuna)
• Having a G&T at sunset after a day doing NOTHING.

Processed food is expensive but you can bring any foodstuff with you - no customs check. The locals bring KFC back when they visit relatives in Auckland.
Niue uses NZ currency. Fast internet. Buy your duty free booze in town (it's like a warehouse with a front counter).
We recommend staying at Namukulu Cottages and Spa, run by Canadians, Brian and Teresa. Our daughter loved their two boxer dogs. Great pool, comfy units, killer sunset view.

Photos don't do the place justice but here are two: coastline and coral chasms - very "Lost World" and  swimming in crystal clear pools in a cavern straight out of a Bond villain's secret lair.