Travel: 2021

Friday, December 10, 2021

COVID Travel: USA to India: Air France

All our tickets are changeable and refundable if you book before February 1, 2022 for travel until June 30, 2022. Learn more

Standard:

Refundable for flights scheduled on or before 30 June 2022**

Non-refundable for flights scheduled on or after 1 July 2022

* Applies to flights operated by Air France and KLM.

** Refundable in form of a voucher if you cancel before the 1st flight in your trip. Vouchers are refundable and valid for 1 year from date of issue.

Flex:

Refundable if you cancel before the 1st flight in your trip without date constraints

Thursday, December 09, 2021

National Park Junior Ranger badges from SF Bay Area

National Park Junior Ranger badges from San Francisco, Bay Area, California

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Muir Woods National Monument
Marin Headlands
Alcatraz Island
Fort Point National Historic Site
Beach buddies in any beach or visitor center

San Francisco maritime national historical park
Presidio of San Francisco
National historic trail

Pony Express national historic trail
Juan Bautista de Anza national historic trail

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National historical park, Richmond
John Muir national historic site, Martinez
Point Reyes National Seashore
National Parks

Pinnacles National Park
Yosemite national park
Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Lassen Volcanic national park
Redwood national park
Sequoia & King's Canyon national park
Joshua Tree national park
Crater Lake national park

Whiskeytown junior ranger
Devils postpile national monument
Lava Beds national monument
Tule Lake national monument
Santa Monica mountains
Old Spanish national historic trail
Mojave national preserve, Barstow
Manzanar national historic site, Independence
Eugene O'Neill, Danville, CA
Cesar E Chavez national monument
Castle mountains national monument, Barstow
Cabrillo national monument, San Diego
Bureau of Land Management BLM

Fort Ord National Monument
Giant Sequoia National Monument
Berryessa snow mountain NM
California Coastal NM
Carrizo plain NM
Headwaters Forest Reserve
King Range National Conservation Area
Mojave Trails NM
National Conservation Lands of CA desert
Sand to Snow NM
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto mountains NM
Surprise Canyon Creek Wild & Scenic River
Whitewater wild & scenic river

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: no junior ranger program yet

References

https://blog.trekaroo.com/national-parks-in-the-bay-area/

Thursday, December 02, 2021

COVID Travel: India to USA-Indian citizens-Qatar Air via Doha

If an Indian citizen has a transit time of 14 hours in Doha when traveling to USA from India, can they stay in the airport the entire time without having to exit the airport? Is a transit visa required?

Hi there,

Please be advised that you do not require a visa for transiting through Doha as you are not exiting the transit area. . However, to find out what requirements you need to comply with before you travel, please visit this link

https://qatarairways.com/en/travel-alerts/requirements.html

Kindly note that you are requested to remain in the transit area of the airport and have your travel documents with you.

Thank you

If the flight has to be canceled or rescheduled owing to a positive COVID test result, will the money be refunded?

Hello, Your full ticket amount will be refunded in the original form of payment. You can apply for a refund or for a voucher by contacting our customer care team. Thank you.

COVID Travel: India to USA-Indian citizens-ANA via Tokyo

ANA-All Nippon Airways

If an Indian citizen has a transit time of 10 hours in Narita when traveling to USA from India, can they stay in the airport the entire time without having to exit the airport? Is a transit visa required?

Please be informed that travelers who are not entering Japan, and are transferring directly to a third country by transit, are not required to submit any documents and undergo inspections. Therefore, immediate layovers in Japan are permitted, provided that you do not leave or exit the airport premises. But since you are traveling to the United States, all passengers will require attestation and a negative COVID-19 test certificate for a test taken within the 3 days prior to the departure of the first flight in their itinerary (not including the departure date). For more information, you may visit this link: https://ana.ms/3hot4jl. Then, click on the "Passengers Traveling Internationally from Japan" tab then choose "the United States". Thank you and we hope this helps!

If the flight has to be canceled or rescheduled owing to a positive COVID test result, will the money be refunded?

You may be able to request for a refund as long as you have an applicable ticket. Tickets meeting the following conditions (both the date of issuance and boarding date) whose number starts with 205 can be applied for a refund. For more information, you may visit this page: https://ana.ms/3G6OZFA. We hope this helps.

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

COVID Travel: India to USA-Indian citizens-Emirates via Dubai

For transits > 10 hours, Indian citizens have to exit the airport & get another COVID test done in Dubai. A transit visa is provided on arrival.

No issues for transits < 10 hours.

Ineligible to stay in the airport hotel, have to stay outside the airport. Dubai connect with free hotel eligible only for 1-way fare/person > $ 1000 USD.

Confirmed with Emirates support as of Nov 2021.

From this source.

If you are traveling from one of the restricted countries (Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia) and have a Dubai Connect Package booked, you must comply with the requirements of your final destination and follow UAE entry and regulatory requirements. If you are traveling from one of the restricted countries, you will be required to leave the airport if your transit time is more than 10 hours.

Info as of Dec 4 2021:

If you're a transit customer from one of these countries listed above with a Dubai Connect booking and/or transit time of more than 10 hours; you must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted within 48 hours of the time the sample was taken at an approved health facility. You must also present a Rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Pre Cruise COVID-19 Test

Royal Caribbean Cruise

Taking COVID-19 tests before sailing. Consider intervening holidays.

Scheduled tests as early as possible with an additional provider for redundancy. PCR tests are normally free but take time. Antigen tests are quick but not easily available & be costly. You can order Telemedicine kits to test at home with a supervisor on video that are cheaper than a lab but order more for redundancy.

For unvaccinated kids, schedule up to 3 days before. One more complimentary test done before boarding.

For vaccinated adults, schedule up to 2 days before.

If one day earlier & still haven't received the test result (owing to holidays), for unvaccinated kids, administer the telemedicine test one day earlier. For adults, administer the telemedicine kit on the day of sailing.

If no results & no kit, schedule an antigen test outside the terminal for vaccinated folks with DocGo RRT. Unvaccinated kids need a test at least a day before.

Kits are not returnable even if unopened. Consider using a Return Protection card that can provide this benefit if you end up not using the kit.

If unable to travel if testing positive, refund provided.

Contact Royal Caribbean

Friday, June 11, 2021

Houston: South-East USA: 8 states in a week: counter-clockwise

Fri, June 25 2021:

Evening: Start driving

Lodging in Baton Rouge or Lafayette, LA

Sat, June 26, 2021:

Drive to New Orleans

Louisiana Bayou Swamp Tours, New Orleans

Drive to Montgomery, AL

Sun, June 27 2021:

Anna Ruby Falls, GA

Stay in Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Mon, June 28 2021:

Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Stay

Tue, June 29:

Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Stay

Wed, June 30:

Drive to Mammoth

Stay in Mammoth Cave National Park

Thu, July 1:

Mammoth Cave

Stay in Mammoth

Fri, July 2:

Partheon, Nashville, TN en-route

Drive to Hot Springs, Stay

Sat, July 3:

Hot Springs National Park

Stay

Sun, July 4:

Garvan Woodland Gardens, Arkansas

Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR

Drive to Caddo Lake

Stay

Mon, July 5:

Caddo Lake

Drive back

Monday, June 07, 2021

Houston: South-East USA tour: 8 states in a week-clockwise

Fri, June 25 2021:

Evening: Start driving to Hot springs

Lodging in Shreveport, LA or Marshall, TX

Sat, June 26, 2021:

Caddo Lake (Natural wonder) in the morning

Drive to Hot Springs

Garvan Woodland Gardens, Arkansas

Stay in Hot Springs, AR

Sun, June 27:

Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park

Stay near Hot Springs, AR

Mon, June 28:

Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR in the morning. Then, drive.

Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee en-route

Drive to & stay in Mammoth

Tue, June 29:

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park

Stay in Mammoth

Wed, June 30:

Mammoth in the morning

Tennessee

Drive to & stay in Great Smoky Mountains

Thu, July 1

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Stay in Great Smoky Mountains

Fri, July 2

Stay in Great Smoky Mountains

Sat July 3

Georgia:

Anna Ruby Falls

Stay in Atlanta, GA

Skip: Stone Mountain Park (family friendly, rides, rail, laser show)

Skip: Alabama:

Skip: Alabama Safari Park (feed animals, petting), Hope Hull

Aggressive option: Stay in Montgomery, AL

Sun July 4

Atlanta Botanical Gardens in the morning

Alabama:

Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

Mississippi:

The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport

Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse

Stay in Gulfport, MS or New Orleans, LA

Mon July 5

Bayou Swamp Tours. Eg: Honey Island Swamp Tour

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

Back to Houston in the evening

References:

Best places in the Southern US to beat the summer heat - Lonely Planet

3 Mountain Towns to Escape the Summer Heat | En Route | US News

https://www.taketours.com/atlanta-ga/11-day-southern-wonders-tour-from-atlanta-fully-guided-228-3233.html

The initial part of this itinerary. https://www.taketours.com/new-orleans-la/11-day-houston-san-antonio-carlsbad-caverns-las-vegas-from-new-orleans-248-3387.html

https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/cave-tours.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/la/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/ms/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/al/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/ga/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/sc/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/nc/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/tn/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/ar/index.htm

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28939-Activities-Louisiana.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28945-Activities-Mississippi.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28922-Activities-Alabama.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28931-Activities-Georgia.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28954-Activities-North_Carolina.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28961-Activities-South_Carolina.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28963-Activities-Tennessee.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28925-Activities-Arkansas.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28938-Activities-Kentucky.html

https://www.travelawaits.com/2546891/ozark-road-trip-from-osage-beach-to-eureka-springs/

https://www.travelawaits.com/2471435/hot-springs-arkansas-things-to-do/?_gl=1*1mz9nyh*_ga*SnlDQU8tYnlHR0wwR3phRWhNc1NENWdxUnpwbWZCYXY3WmE3TUNtZ2lUektXLWZjU2UyT3RyYVZtcFBxY3p0UQ

https://www.arkansas.com/articles/caves-caverns-spelunking

https://www.littlerockfamily.com/post/115342/6-caves-to-explore-in-arkansas

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/georgia/unbelievable-ga-waterfalls/ Driving Map

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/georgia/7-natural-wonders-in-georgia/ Driving Map

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

Houston-Laidback trip for a week

Houston

Consider Houston city pass

Sat June 26 2021

Houston space center (Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center)

Bayou Place in the evening

Sun, June 27:

Houston zoo

Mon Jun 28:

Museum of Natural Science

Downtown aquarium

Tue June 29:

Kemah Boardwalk

Children's museum

Wed June 30:

Beaumont: Gator Country, Botanical Gardens

Thu July 1:

Swamp & River Airboat Tours in Orange into swamps, salt marshes & bayous-alligators

Shangri-La gardens

Fri July 2:

Galveston: Ferry to Port Bolivar

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, Galveston

Sat July 3:

Galveston Moody Gardens

Sun July 4:

Big Thicket National Preserve, hike & boat/paddling on Neeches River, Village Creek

Mon July 5:

Caddo Lake

More ideas:

Schlitterbahn Water Park, Galveston

Hamilton Lake near Austin

Caves near Austin

References:

https://yathra.blogspot.com/2021/06/houston-tourist-attractions.html

https://yathra.blogspot.com/2021/06/galveston-tourism-attractions.html

https://vacationidea.com/things-to-do-near-me/best-natural-wonders.html

Houston tourist attractions

Houston Museum District

Museum of Natural Science
Menil Collection & Rothko Chapel
Children’s museum
Themed gardens & viewing hill at Hermann Park
Museum of Fine Arts

Houston

Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
Tranquility Park
The Galleria
Buffalo Bayou Park
Round Top
Caddo lake
Texas state railroad

Big Thicket National Preserve

Neeches River & Village creek

Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur

Kemah Boardwalk

Houston Zoo

Downton Aquarium

Beaumont: Gator county, Botanical gardens

Swamp & River Tours in Orange into swamps, salt marshes & bayous-alligators

Texas Energy museum, Beaumont

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site

Caddo Lake State Park, Lake Sabine, Port Arthur

Freeman Plantation

Sam Rayburn House Museum, Bonham

Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site, Denison

Sour Lake, Beaumont

Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum, Beaumont

John Jay French Museum

McFaddin-Ward House Museum

Edison Museum

Fire museum of Texas

Babe Didrikson Zaharias memorial

Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site

Sea Rim State Park-birdwatching

Pompeiian Villa

Rose Hill Manor

White Haven mansion

Rainbow Bridge, Orange

Stark Museum of Art, Orange

WH Stark House

Texas Forestry museum

Millard’s Crossing historic village

Stone Fort museum

East Texas Oil Museum

Rangerette Showcase

RG Le Tourneau Museum

Museum of Natural Science & nearby Children’s museum

NASA Space Center

Kemah Boardwalk

Houston Zoo

Downtown Aquarium

Big Thicket National Preserve

Texas State Railroad

San Jacinto Battleground historic site OR

Nacogdoches, East Texas

Galveston

Houston summer travel ideas

To beat the heat, we can get to mountains, water (ocean/river/lake) or caves. Easy White-water rafting, river tubing & kayaking are available in Smokies & other neighboring states.

Idea 1: Congaree National Park, Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Caves, Hot Springs

This trip hits Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee & Arkansas. Except Smoky & Mammoth, all other areas are super hot.

Idea 2: Colorado: Rockies, Black Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, possibly Arches in UT.

Idea 3 (Aggressive): Badlands, Wind Cave, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rockies, Black Canyon

Idea 3.1 (less aggressive): Yellowstone, Grand Teton

Idea 4 (laidback): Houston: Houston space center (Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center), Houston natural history museum, Houston zoo, Bayou place in downtown San Jose, Waco National Monument, Beaumont Gator rides, Beaumont botanical garden, Louisiana Bayou boat rides, Galveston (Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, Galveston Railroad Museum).

Idea 5: (Hot but water based): Biscayne, Everglades, Dry Tortugas in Florida. Snorkelling trip

Galveston tourism attractions

Moody Gardens
High Island, Bolivar Peninsular Audubon bird sanctuaries
Ferry to Port Bolivar
Galveston Island State Park
Pleasure Pier
Schlitterbahn Waterpark
Texas Seaport Museum, Galveston
Bishop’s Place, Galveston
Moody Mansion, Galveston
Anahuac National Wildlife REfuge, East Galveston
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Brazos Bend State Park
Four bird sanctuaries by Texas Audubon on High Island such as Smith Oaks sanctuary
Strand Historic district
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig
Grand 1894 Opera House
Mardi Gras Museum
Railroad Museum
Rosenberg LIbrary
Lone Star Flight Museum
Rollover Pass, Gilchrist