Need another country to travel to? Why not Belize? 

This may be the country for you if you want a relaxing, laid-back, slow-paced vibe.

The focus will be on San Pedro, a town on the island of Ambergris Caye.

With the beautiful barrier reef or the option to check out the Mayan Ruins, this should be an option to add to your travels.

Don’t make the mistake that we did. Several years ago we came to Belize City on a cruise stop and only spent about 3 hours at our destination, which was more like a tourist-inspired swim park. 

With that experience, we had no desire to return, but thanks to YouTube we saw how much we didn’t see. So San Pedro was our destination for our 20th wedding anniversary.

Getting to San Pedro

There are multiple flights you can pick to get to Belize. The major airport, Philip S.W. Goldson International (BZE) is where you fly into. 

We flew direct from Charlotte (CLT) which was about 3.5 hours. On our flight, they provided immigration documents to fill out so we would have it ready to go through immigration.

Immigration was rather quick, but since August is considered off-season it only took about 10 minutes. We also had carry-on luggage which made things faster.

Wed decided to take the ferry to San Pedro, but next time we will fly.

If you choose to fly, you can catch a connecting flight which has the door close by after you get through immigration. Otherwise, the exit door will lead you to ground transportation.

Taking the Ferry

If traveling by ferry, you take a taxi or shuttle service to the port. That is about 20 minutes from the airport. We chose San Pedro Belize Express. Caribbean Sprinter is another ferry option.

We purchased tickets online before our trip however you don’t need to do that. Once you get to the dock you can buy tickets at the counter. And it’s cheaper. 

One tip is that tickets are good for 3 months after your scheduled time. So you don’t have to use them on the same day and time you originally had set. The ferry shuttle sails multiple times a day so you have time flexibility.

The ferry shuttle was 1.5 hours long. If you add a vacation stop to Caye Caulker, the ferry will stop to let passengers on and off after the first hour. Then you have another 30 minutes to San Pedro.

Once you arrive, you can pick up your luggage after it’s loaded in the luggage claim area. Just make sure you keep your luggage tickets to provide to the attendant.

If you have transportation scheduled, you can wait for them near the San Pedro welcome sign. If not, several drivers will be in the area to take you to your destination. You can even rent a golf cart on the spot and then drive yourself to your hotel.

Accommodations

There are plenty of options for accommodations on the island. We chose the Grand Caribe Belize resort for a few reasons.

It was waterfront property, with restaurants onsite and nearby, and didn’t give off a party vibe. Honestly, I wanted a quieter resort without the big party scene. 

Each room was a condo that had a kitchenette. Our room was on the first floor with easy access to walk outside and participate in the water activities. Paddleboard and kayaking were free for guests.

The location was ideal as it was about 15 minutes from downtown and 20 minutes from the infamous Secret Beach. Grand Caribe also rented golf carts to guests.

Lifestyle

When we arrived at San Pedro, we felt the locals were warm, welcoming, friendly, and easy-going. But with the notion of “going slow”, how could anyone be too uptight?

You may ask? Will I be able to communicate easily? 

Yes. 

The official language of Belize is English. However, Spanish, Creole, German, and other Mayan languages are spoken.

That brings some familiarity when immersing yourself in various cultures and still communicating with the natives.

And don’t worry about the conversion of currency. It’s 2 to 1. $2 BZE is $1. Simple right?

It’s not necessary to convert any money before going. You can pay in USD but will most likely get money returned in BZE. 

Food

The food was incredible. Between the mom-and-pop restaurants on the side of the road to the resort restaurant, everything was amazing. 

Rain

After traveling all day, it’s nice to have a restaurant that is at the resort. Once we got settled in we made reservations for Rain. When we checked in at the resort, it was highly recommended to make reservations. However, our reservation was at 4PM and it was just us and one larger party. 

I’m not sure how strict reservations are during the off season, but just something to consider.

 At 4pm, the sun is HOT! We moved tables because the sun was just too unbearable, but the ambience was great. There was a beautiful view of the bay and the food was fantastic.

The Fry Jack House

The Fry Jack House was a restaurant I heard about on another YouTube channel and it did not disappoint. It’s small inside but the food has a big impact. It’s also part of the Belize Food tour.

We weren’t part of the tour, but suddenly 15 people came into the restaurant. Glad we got there before the tour did.

The Truck Stop

Another area we went to a few times because it was convenient and close was The Truck Stop. It’s a food truck park. You can get pizza, Asian food, ice cream, tacos and different drinks. There is also an area in the back to play games, watch tv, and swim.

It was a place to grab something quick without having to wait and sit at a restaurant. Very casual. 

Most nights around 6pm there is live music from local artists. I didn’t see people dancing but most were just watching the artists perform. 

Tipsy Lobster (Seafood Grill)

The Tipsy Lobster was about a 3 minute golf cart ride up the road from our resort. If you don’t look for it, you will miss it. It’s an outdoor seating restaurant with amazing food.

The only issue we had was with flies. The staff brought us fans to surround us to keep the flies away. A great option if you want a laid-back restaurant and amazing food. 

Garage Seafood and Steakhouse

This restaurant was quaint. At the time we were the only patrons there, but like I mentioned before this was slow season in Belize and we went on a Tuesday night. 

We pulled up and the staff valet parked our golf cart! Now that’s a first for me. You’ll notice a little red car at the top of the building so you can find it easily.

The food was awesome like everything else we had in Belize. Try this restaurant, and you won’t regret it.

Elvi’s Kitchen

Elvi’s was another restaurant that I saw mentioned several times in other YouTube videos so we decided to have it for lunch. It’s located in downtown San Pedro. The outside is misleading because when we walked in, I was amazed how large the restaurant was inside.

 When it was time to order, my husband had a question about the size of the snapper. The waiter brought over two different sizes of fish (uncooked) and Rudy picked out the bigger one. 

Let’s just say, he had no complaints and finished the entire thing.

I went a little more subtle, so I went with tacos. Still good, but not as grand as my husband’s snapper.

Beach Basket Belize

Beach Basket Belize is the on-site grocery store on the Grand Caribe Resort. It’s more like a quick shop with an assortment of household items, produce, can goods, drinks, alcohol and more. There is also a quick pizza shop inside as well when you want a snack or quick meal.

With food in Belize, you have many options. You won’t be disappointed.

Transportation

We heard about people driving golf carts in San Pedro before we arrived. Initially we didn’t want to be bothered with getting one. Well, the first day we walked to The Truck Stop, which was less than a mile. 

Big mistake!

It took about 15 minutes, but we were walking on the road as there were no sidewalks and it was HOT.

The next 3 days we made sure we had a set of wheels. You can rent from so many agencies on the island and they will come to your residence.

Grand Caribe also has their own (which we rented from). It seems to be a little more expensive than the others, but we pay for convenience. We didn’t have to gas up or pay the tolls because it was already included in the price.

You won’t have an issue finding a golf-cart, it’s more about what price you’re willing to pay. Also, in downtown the only issue is finding parking, but you’ll eventually find a spot. Just remember to lock up.

Secret Beach

The infamous Secret Beach is no longer a secret. 

If you’re looking for a popular tourist destination with a nice beach, music, beach bars, shopping and water activities, this is the place for you.

We came during the weekday around 11am and ate food at the first bar we came to. We were actually meeting a realtor to drive us around so we ended up back here after our tour around the area.

Getting to Secret Beach means driving on a rocky road. My Google Maps worked perfectly out there even though it seemed to be desolate. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Grand Caribe. 

This area is one of the few places that you can walk into the water without a barrier. There were several areas where you are able to eat in the water, but we opted out of that.

The Area

San Pedro is still up and coming. There are some areas that have been built up to support travel and tourism but there are other areas that have future plans for expansion. Because of that reason, you will see a lot of dirt roads and potholes when driving.

During our visit we did look at some land out in another part of Secret Beach to see what the area would look like. The terrain may not look appealing, but with the way the city is growing, it’s only a matter of time for the curb appeal to take shape.

Until Next Time

This was a much needed and deserved trip. While we didn’t decide on San Pedro until about 2 months prior, we are so glad we came. It was one our most relaxing and enjoyable trips.

We are ready for our next trip back. Until next time Belize!

Curious about another tropical climate country to visit? Check out this post about our trip to Cartagena, Colombia!

The post Discover Belize – Your Next Caribbean Paradise first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

Why Cartagena?

Several years ago on a trip to Negril Jamaica, we met a native from Cartagena. There was a language barrier but we were able to communicate in small doses. But her words to me, were “Visit Cartagena”. So because of our interaction, Colombia was now added to my bucket list of places to visit.

Since that trip, I kept hearing more people talking about visiting Cartagena or other cities in Colombia. It reminds me of when you get a new car or researching a particular car, and then you start seeing your car more and more whereas before you didn’t see it as much on the road. That’s how it was for Cartagena.

So with that, I did some research about where to stay, booked our flights and it was set. We stayed for 5 nights which we found to be our sweet spot for how long to stay. I also contacted Deimer who has a private FB group regarding tour services. It was great to have someone from Cartagena to give us tips and answer questions about anything. Check out his FB for more info.

Getting There

We flew out of Dulles (IAD) around 7am thru Atlanta (ATL) to Cartagena (CTG). Around 1:30pm we arrived in Cartagena, which is on Central Time. It was an easy flight. Just a tip, Delta counters at Dulles open up 4:30am. So if you have an International Flight leaving at 7am and they say to be there 3 hours prior; you may be waiting to check in since you have to verify your passport.

After our two flights we landed in Cartagena. The heat smacked us right in the face. I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t felt that type of heat in a while, but it was hot. I know Central America is hot, but that just hit us as soon as we stepped off the plane.

We were not the only flight that had just arrived. The customs line was long. It took about an hour once we got in line before our turn to be checked. If you are meeting people or have a ride scheduled, note that this process may be lengthy for you.

Initial thoughts

We were warned that some of the natives could be aggressive as far as offering their services. So that was not a surprise when we exited the airport while waiting for our driver. Our guide, Diemer was on his way and said on the phone “Do Not Give Them Your Bags”.

Well, it’s hard to heed that warning when so many people are speaking quickly and in a different language at you. Our guide and driver arrived to pick us up and it was still chaotic.

Some of the people at the airport grabbed our bags to put in our car (even though we had 2 people to come pick us up to do that) and they were expecting some compensation for their troubles of moving the bags 2 feet.

Something that is familiar but somewhat uncommon when we do travel to another country, is that Colombians drive on the same side of the road as the US. So if you move to this country, you will not have that hurdle to overcome.

But there are lots of bikes and small cars and the way they move throughout the roads takes some getting used to. Since we have traveled to other countries, we’ve seen this “style” of driving. Meaning, cars cut in front of you, pull out, and the sounds of small horns alerting others is constant. But I didn’t see any accidents. They just make it work.

AirBNB

We decided to do an Airbnb for our trip. One of the factors was being able to see the ocean everyday and have a balcony. Many of the hotels that were on the ocean facing side did not have balconies so we found a great Airbnb that suited us just fine.

It was in an area with multiple shops and restaurants that you could walk to easily and also visit the beach. They do make you wear a bracelet for your entire stay. If you lose it, you have to pay for a new one.

This two bedroom/two bath condo was right up our alley. It was an end unit on the 40th floor with only 5 rooms per floor. Each room had a great view of the city and the ocean. In addition, there is a reception desk to help with check-in, a taxi available outside and a pool.

The view at night was just as beautiful as the views during the day.

Here is the link to the Airbnb.

Palenque

Lately we’ve been trying to add in a cultural experience during our trips and not just have a strictly lazy/beach vacation. Because I had heard a lot of wonderful things about the Palenque tour, I booked it. However, I will typically go for vacations in warmer climates. I don’t like being cold.

Our guide Deimer (Cartagena Cheap & Safe), booked it for us with a driver. The drive was about 1 – 1.5 hours away from Cartagena into more of the country side. But it was nice to see some of the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Palenque is the first free town for Africans in the Americas. We learned about the history, culture, medical and healing practices, dances, food and more. The tour was about 3-4 hours with the option to have lunch at the end.

The Dancing

There is a school where young adults perform native dances and give a brief history of the dance. They even invite the visitors to join in towards the end. I realized my dancing skills have decreased over the last several years.

The History

Our tour guide Sofy, was amazing. She provided the history while we walked through the town and answered any questions that were presented. If you ever visit Palenque, hopefully you get Sofy.

If you wanted to take pictures with the women in the colorful dresses you could, but there was no pressure. But there was plenty of opportunity if you missed it the first time. There was also several gift shops to buy souvenirs at. And they accepted both cash and card.

Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes, sunblock, hat, water (which they provided) to have a comfortable time. The day was a bit cloudy so the heat was not as intense.

One stop was to see how traditional sweets were made and got a taste of it.

The Music

We got to see a native musician and his studio. He was also on the Tiny Desk series representing Colombia. The best part was having the visitors participate. My husband played the xylophone.

Featuring Mr. Banks.

Winding Down

As we were ending the tour, a traditional lunch was served. You could have the option of fish or chicken. Of course we went for fish. Having it served on a bamboo leaf reminded me of when were in India.

Before leaving Palenque, we captured one last picture with the women of Palenque.

Bora Bora Beach Club

Getting There

Although there was an ocean that you could go to right outside of the condo, we were told there were better beaches, but you just had to travel more of a distance to get to them. And if you did use the closer beach, only bring what you need.

From seeing the pictures, I booked the Bora Bora Beach Club for us to have some time to relax. We did the VIP section which also came with lunch and a front row cabana.

Getting there was a journey. We were dropped off at gate 3 and had to show ID. We prepaid for Bora Bora but you had to pay a port fee in cash at La Bodeguita port. Once we did that, we checked in, got our bracelets and waited for the staff to call “azul” Bora Bora since we had blue bracelets.

We all loaded into the speedboat. Let’s just say I’m glad I had my water shoes on for this. It was overcast and rainy off and on. How funny that the other days were like 90+ degrees and the day we have a beach day it’s probably low 80s, rainy and cloudy.

But our trip on the speedboat was about 45 minutes. My husband saw lightning and the rain started to come down even harder slapping us in the face. Let’s just say we were drenched by the time we got to the beach club.

The Vibe

Once we arrived we checked in and went to the dining area. They were also serving breakfast so we decided to eat because our cabana wasn’t ready yet and it was still raining. After about an hour it let up and we were able to relax in front of the ocean.

One thing to note is that there is a DJ that plays a mix of techno/Caribbean music so if you are looking for serenity and quietness, this isn’t the place for you. From the cabana you could just walk down the steps to the beach. Our VIP side was sectioned off so there was only a few people in the water on our side. The water was warm, however it was still chilly due to the sun not being out and the previous rain.

Around 12:30pm our lunch was ready and we were served the typical Colombian dish. Similar to what we had in Palenque but it was still good.

Restaurants

Overall, I was happy with all the food choices in Cartagena except for one, but that was my fault. I was tired of seafood and wanted some pizza and it was a little too cheesy for me. But everything else I enjoyed.

Morena

Morena is literally a 1-2 minute walk from the condo. That’s probably why we ate there 3 times. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun and the staff was amazing. The majority of the people basically spoke to us in Spanish. So between us pointing to the menu and speaking our broken Spanish, we made it work. I believe they appreciated the effort.

The nights we went, there was music from local musicians which was nice. I highly recommend checking it out if you visit.

Here is a little taste of the music from one of the nights.

La Brioche Bocagrande

La Brioche Bocagrande was a quaint breakfast spot about 5 minutes away from our condo. Despite our language barrier, we were able to get our order across without any issues. No complaints with the breakfast food. It seems to be very popular so try not to be in a rush if you eat there. Also, you can get their pastries to go.

Carulla Express

Right across the street from La Brioche, was the Carulla Express. This has everything you need from food and alcohol to toiletries for your Airbnb. We came here 3 times during our stay when we needed a few items.

Cande

Cande was more of an upscale restaurant with an Italian feel. It was on a recommendation list and we needed a last minute place to eat. The food was good here too, but we enjoyed a similar meal at Palenque and Bora Bora just a little more.

Things to Note

Transportation

There are plenty of options for transportation. We used a private driver for most of our stay and hopped a taxi from one of the malls within the city when we had finished dinner one night.

Communicating

Practice up on your Spanish and use your phone to translate. With the exception of a few people, the majority of the people we encountered spoke limited English or none. Both Rudy and I took Spanish in high school several years ago and that helped with simple stuff, but you just needed to know how to use other tools to communicate. It’s not like Costa Rica where when you go to restaurants in the tourists areas, there will be someone who can flip back and forth. It’s just something to consider.

Toilet Paper

I noticed this in our Airbnb, but thought it was referencing feminine products and not flushing anything down the toilet. However, we believe it meant all paper products. When I went to other restaurants i noticed similar signage. So I googled. To my surprise, they meant all paper products. Cartagena’s infrastructure is not as advanced as far as the plumbing in some areas, so the guidance is not to throw paper in the toilet.

Day/Night

With the amount of windows and views we had from the condo, you could definitely tell when morning came. Which seemed to be about 5:30-6:00am. My body was still on east coast time but it felt like sleeping in was not happening. The rooms had automatic blinds but I enjoyed being able to see the sun in the morning and set in the evening. On the flip side, around 7pm, it was night. Back home it is still daylight till after 8:30pm. Just something to consider if you like to be in before it gets dark when visiting a new place.

Unemployment

Due to high unemployment, you will find people that will ask for money. We were sitting at a restaurant outside and someone approached us asking for money to help feed her baby. She even had the Similac container and everything. Even with the language barrier she got her point across. The native people are friendly, but you may be approached when you least expect it while you are dining outside.

So much to do, so little time

We didn’t do everything that was offered. On vacation our plan is to relax but take in 1 or 2 excursion type events and play the rest by ear. There is so much to see or do such Salsa classes, Mud Volcano tour, Exploring the Walled City and more. We were walking out of a restaurant in Getsemani and someone walked up to us asked if we wanted a tour with a Horse and Carriage. We declined because we were tired from the day, but that could have been a spur of the moment type of event.

Night Life for Introverts

Cartagena is also known for the night life, but I am not. We did see the imfamous Party Bus from the condo. It’s bright, flashy, and drives around in a circle it seems. There is a DJ turning up the music for all those to have a great time and dance the night away. If this is your vibe, check it out.

Money Exchange/ATM

Before the trip I exchanged money from my local bank. It took about 3 business days so I had some cash before we landed without having to go to the Exchange booth at the airport. The issue I ran into is that the bank doesn’t give you enough smaller bills. So I ended up with a lot of 20.000 and 50.000 Colombian Pesos which is equivalent to $5-$13 USD. However, that can go quickly if you don’t have any 1 mil or 5 mil Colombian Pesos on hand. I only received some back as change when we went to the La Bodeguita Port for the beach tour. And when I could, I would use my card for other purchases.

It’s a great exchange rate but if you go to fancier restaurants in the touristy area, then the prices seem comparable to the US in my opinion.

Once we started to get around I saw several Money Exchange shops, although I didn’t enter inside. Most of the time I saw them in passing while we were heading some place else.

Not all ATMs will take your card if you need to withdrawal additional money. I found two ATMs that were close by the condo and it kept erroring about “Not able to Service”, but in Spanish of course. So my driver took me to a bigger bank in town and it worked better for me. If I had smaller bills, my cash would have lasted longer.

Farewell Cartagena

Our flight out of Cartagena was around 2:15pm and we had to leave our condo by 11am. Our driver picked us up and we were on our way. Checkout was simple enough. I told them the room number and they cut the bracelet off our wrist. I know that was for safety but I was glad to have that cut off.

Arriving at the airport to leave the country was a lot less hectic than the arrival. We thanked our driver and headed to check-in. We talked with a Delta rep about the trip, checked our bags, and then headed upstairs thru security.

The Cartagena airport is pretty organized compared to other airports I’ve been to in the Caribbean. It’s also relatively small. There is a few stores and a restaurant and then a lot of seats in front of all the gates.

We did have a good time and will probably re-visit again in the future, but there are still other places to visit. If you’d like to check out our adventures with another warm destination, read about out trip to Puerto Vallarta. It’s wedding season so this may give additional ideas.

~Angela

The post Lost in the Charm: A Cartagena Escape in the Heart of Summer first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

(Originally posted on HarmonyBanx.com)

Why travel outside of your country

Why would you need to travel internationally, if you have everything in the United States? That’s the question that gets asked by those that have never left the comfort of their home country. Well, keep reading to find out at least 5 reasons why you should travel internationally.

As Americans, we tend to view our way of life as the standard because that’s all we’ve been around. If you are able to travel, get a passport. Why read about it in books or on the internet, just experience it yourself at least once in your life.

Travel Internationally 

What does it mean to Travel Internationally?  It is traveling to a different country from where you reside. It is one thing to leave your city or state (which is a start), but it takes on a different dynamic when you have to get on a plane for 8 hours. Not to mention flying internationally has better perks than flying domestically.

Data Points

How many people have ever traveled outside of the US? Over 24 million US citizens have traveled internationally for 2022 (as of Nov 2022) with the top 3 regions being Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia (trade.gov).

There are approximately 302 Million citizens living in the US as of 2021 data (kff.org). So there is still a vast amount of people who have never left the US. Don’t let that be you.

See different scenery (1)

Take some time and learn and discover new terrain and climate. In the US there are different terrains and climates depending on where you live. In Arizona, it will be dry and hot but in Upstate NY, it will have its fair share of snow. The same can be said for different regions with a new country.

Seasonal differences

Consider leaving the US East Coast in December and flying over to the Eastern Hemisphere. It’s easy to get into the thought process that December means winter, however over there it is their Summer.

Different Beaches

Of course, there are beautiful beaches within the US but go and experience a different beach in a different country. The Caribbean has beautiful crystal clear waters and soft sand, however other locations such as Seychelles, and Maldives have water you can see through too, and present a different vibe.  

Driving

Ever wanted to drive on the opposite of the road? Well in the US it’s illegal to even try, but you can experience that somewhere else. 68 countries drive on the left side (worlddata.info). To experience that change can be nerve-racking but exciting at the same time.

Vehicles

Looking to see different types of vehicles? Toyota and Hyundai may be seen in different countries but there are different car manufacturers that are popular too. Ever heard of a DACIA or a PEUGEOT? No, well travel internationally to see them in action for yourself. 

Change of pace, chance to slow down (2)

Escaping the day-to-day usually only happens with a vacation planned out. You are forced to stop repeating the same norms that you are used to. Being on a plane for several hours (especially if traveling further than the Caribbean islands or Mexico), gives you time to decompress, at least once you’ve been thru all the airport shenanigans. 

Adventure

Breaking out of the daily routine also provides a path for an adventure. The planning can be just as exciting as the adventure itself. Excursions, tours, and sightseeing can open your eyes like you are a kid at Christmas. Seeing a lion at a US Zoo is not the same as seeing a lion on a Safari ride. 

Fast and Furious

In a lot of areas in the US, the norm is everything is fast. Fast food, fast service, fast answers. Leaving that may be a bit of an adjustment but it provides an opportunity to step back and slow down without the added pressure of needing to make something happen quickly.

Island Time

The words Island time have a real sentiment to them. The laid-back vibe can be a wonderful change for someone who is part of the Fast Lane vibe. This is apparent in Caribbean countries. Enjoy the scenery, and slow down, because everyone is.

Experience a different culture that is not Americanized (3)

When traveling internationally, look for authentic areas and those that are not commercialized and marketed for Americans only.

Touristy areas

Certain locations seem to be a beautified resemblance of the US. Cancun, MX especially near the resort areas has the US feel but in a tropical place. All the guests are just like you. It’s a comfortable place if you want to dip your feet in the travel waters, but you may look around and find you could have easily gone to a local beach in the states.

Food

Experiencing the food in a new country is one of the best ways to see major differences from the US. France for example has wine as their standard beverage and brings out different glasses depending on which part of the dining experience you are in (appetizer, meal, dessert).  The portion sizes are generally smaller, so don’t be surprised if your entire plate is not packed full of food. 

Native rituals 

Due to the internet and social media, there are certain dances and music that have become popular overseas due to the US popularity. However, the native dance rituals that have been around for centuries continue to live on and as a visitor, you can see that first hand. 

Ceremonies

Marriage ceremonies are not your typical bride dressed in white. In India, the more brightly colored the garment the better. In contrast, wearing black when someone has died in the US is normal, but wearing white is a tradition in countries like Ethiopia and India. What is considered normal by US standards is not for other countries in the world.

Tipping

In the US the majority of restaurants, tipping is the norm, but in Europe, it’s frowned upon. It takes some time for a US citizen to understand that it’s really not okay to tip their server in a European country. But you would never know the feeling unless you went yourself.

Sports

If the World Cup has taught you anything, it’s that futbol can bring multiple countries together. American football is well just for the US. But what about those other sports that are not popular in the States? Wouldn’t you like to see a game in person to experience how fans of different countries and sports come together? 

Languages

If you have ever wanted to learn a new language, the fastest way is to immerse yourself in that native country. And it also helps with enhanced memory and critical thinking. What is fascinating is that within certain countries, multiple languages are spoken. For example, India has about 22 official languages (https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org). In Aruba, they speak a minimum of 4. So travel if you want to learn a new language quickly.

Meet new people you would never have met before (4)

If you want something different you have to do something different (Jack Canfield). Are you tired of seeing the same people, and having the same type of friends, do you want to level up? Well time to get out of your comfort zone. Visit a new country and meet a new friend. Sometimes we are more alike than we are different. This new friend can share their perspective on how it is living in their country versus what you can read on the internet.

Get a different view than what is on the news (5)

Ever hear gossip about someone and already form your own opinion but then meet them in person and discover they act nothing like what you were told? That’s exactly why you need to visit a country for yourself instead of getting second-hand information. Form your own opinion. 

The media tells us what the media wants us to know. When you visit a new country, turn on their local news and then compare it to what we hear and see in the States. 

Go For It

No country is perfect and there are pros and cons to every country. But experience it for yourself. Don’t look for others to tell you, get your own perspective. The internet is vast, but it can’t give you the “feeling”.

Look for good flight deals to a new place you’ve never been to. If you don’t have a specific timeframe, then your options open up. If you’re afraid to go alone, look at some group travel options.

Get out of your comfort zone, book that international trip, and experience new things!

 Happy Traveling!!

Click to read about our trip to South Africa.

 ~Angela Banks

References

https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/US-Outbound-to-World-Regions.xlsx

https://www.worlddata.info/left-hand-traffic.php#:~:text=Out%20of%20241%20countries%20around,dependent%20on%20the%20British%20Crown.

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Languages_of_India

KFF,org

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After about 6 months of anticipation, our first South Africa trip day finally came. Being local to the DMV region I booked our flight out of Dulles (IAD) and booked a round trip to Johannesburg on Ethiopian Airlines. This also includes a short layover in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Being that this was our first time using Ethiopian Airlines and Business Class, I was ready for all that it had to offer. Of course, I did my due diligence and looked up every Youtube, TikTok, and blog post that I could find about this experience. And from what I previously read and saw out there on the web, it was as I expected.

There were a few questions that I had but never could get a direct answer to online. This may help others with similar questions.

Early Check-in

If flying from the US to ADD (or Addis Ababa), the information on the ET website said you need to be checked in 4 hours before your flight. Now I understand for International Flights, it’s recommended to check in 3 hours, but I didn’t know why we needed to be there 4 hours earlier.

So for a 10 am flight, that meant that we needed to be there around 6 am. So because I am a “rule follower”, we were at the airport around 6 am, but by the time we parked and went to ticketing, it was around 6:30. After all the security checks we were sitting next to our gate at 7 am. Boarding didn’t start till 9 am so we sat for about 2 hours. I think next time we will heed the 3-hour timeframe instead of the 4-hour mark. 

Since it was earlier in the morning, we were pretty much the only ones at the check-in counter. There were 2 lines, one for Online Checkin and the other if you didn’t check in Online. But as I said, since we were basically the only ones checking in at that time, it didn’t seem like it mattered.

Vaccination requirement?

Another point that I don’t recall seeing in any of my travel research was the vaccination requirement. When we got up to the check-in counter, the agent asked for proof of vaccination. I thought since pandemic procedures were pretty much over, that this was no longer needed. Luckily we had our information online and could quickly bring it up, but I’m not sure what would have happened if we didn’t produce that information or if we were being singled out.

In the last email from Ethiopian Airlines about the flight, there was information towards the bottom of the page regarding having a photocopy of the original certificate and only if you are traveling to China, U.A.E, U.S.A, and France (which we were not traveling “to” those places).

However, within that same section, there was a face mask mandatory section, but in reality, face masks were not required. So to me, there was some conflicting information.

Lounge Access

Since we were Cloud 9 Business Class, we were allowed to use the Turkish Lounge right outside Gate B42. When we arrived it was not open for some reason. It did open about an hour later, but we had already found a seat and ate and didn’t feel like relocating. Plus, from the looks of it, the lounge was filling up quickly because it services multiple airlines and we felt it was less crowded where we were.

Priority Boarding / Cloud 9

A little after 9 am they called for Cloud 9 members and all those associated with Priority Boarding. It felt nice to be like the 5th person on the plane. As soon as we found our seats and got settled in, we were greeted with some champagne. 

As mentioned in some other blogs and videos, this plane is a little older so some of the features are not as updated as you would probably find on Qatar or even Delta’s Business Class. But the ability to lay my seat all the way back, recline, and get free beverages can’t be beaten. I was nice and warm with the blanket that was provided. 

This plane had a 2-3-2 configuration and we had one of the two-seaters. Even with being in the window seat, I was able to easily move around to get to the aisle to use the restroom. 

The restrooms are typical, but I never had to wait which never happens when I fly economy. If you have the opportunity and have never flown Business or First Class, I highly recommend it at least once or especially if you have a long flight. 

ET provided us with a travel kit even though I didn’t use many of the items in it. But it was a nice touch. I’m sure this will make a nice travel bag in the future for something else.

Meals

Shortly after take-off, we were served dinner which was like a 3-course meal. I sometimes forget they really give full meals on flights longer than 3 hours and not your typical cookies and juice. 

Layover

The layover in Addis Ababa was relatively short. It gave us enough time to have our checked luggage transferred and to go thru customs again. Because technically you are going from International to International. It took about 20 minutes and we had to do the typical actions such as removing shoes, electronic equipment, coats, etc. Once we completed that part we were off to our next gate to wait for our flight to be called.

From Add to JNB

The second flight was similar to the first, except it was under 5 hours. The meals were about the same. I was still full from the first flight so I didn’t eat as much on the second flight.

After arriving at JNB airport, we went through customs again which didn’t seem to take too long as we were the only flight at the time and we were off the plane first due to being Business Class. However, waiting for luggage took about 20 minutes or so and then we were off to meet our driver to take us to our luxury accommodations.

overall

The flight was rather uneventful, which for any flight is what you want right? The aircraft was older than some of the others I’ve seen online. The food was pretty good and it was a rather comfortable flight. It’s not direct so if you are looking for a direct flight from the states, I would suggest going out of ATL or JFK. We just happen to live in the DMV area and the cost was less expensive than Delta and United. Either way we would have had to take a connecting flight unless we drove 3-4 hours to JFK.

Would I travel with Ethiopian Airlines again? Probably. However, if there is a better alternative, I would consider it.

The post Epic Adventure: Flying Ethiopian Business Class from IAD to Johannesburg first appeared on Angela P. Banks.