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Trip Report - Thailand, Bangkok and Chiangmei on the cheap!
An on board courier from New York to Asia
January 2007
Length of stay: 11 days
Airline: Japan Airlines
Price: $500 USD
Booked two months in advance
Arrived at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport and took a taxi to downtown Bangkok. Bangkok can be a little congested (population over 10 million) but the best words to describe the scene is "controlled chaos." Be careful crossing the streets as motorists and "tuk tuks" (three wheeled open vehicles) are running rampant. After checking in at my hotel it was defintely time for a nap after nearly 26 hours of travel time.
After a good nap I ventured out on the streets near the Na Na district in Central Bangkok. The side walk sellers were very busy until midnight as well as the ladies of the night (and day) in Thailand. One of the monst interesting food carts was "the bug cart" fried roaches, grasshoppers, and assorted bugs for snacking. No, I didn't try any. Unless you have a strong digestive system I would not recommend the food carts as you could risk vacation days should you develop intestinal problems. Most restaurants do not wash their dishes on the street.
Travel around Bangkok can be done pretty cheaply if using the Sky Train and the two lines servicing the city. Cost was 75 cents each way. Recommend an evening trip down the southern end of the line down to the Chao Phraya Tak Sin bridge near the Millenium Hilton (across river). From there you can hire a long boat that plys the river to the Rama 8 bridge and back. The lights of the temples, city and bridge are fantastic. Cost is about $15 USD with theThai baht at 36 per dollar.
A view of the city from the Millenium Hilton is also worth the effort. Free M-Hilton water taxi is available below the Tak Sin bridge.
Other side trips you may want to include are the floating markets in the Rajburi Province of Damnernsaduak and the train market in Maeklong. The Maeklong morning market along the railroad tracks is a must. You'll be amazed that the train can actually roll through after you meader down the tracks.
At nearly every turn in Thailand you will find many golden Wats (Buddhist Temples). The Grand Palace should be on your list to visit and you can easily spend a half day touring the complex. Be prepared to take off your footwear before entering any Wat.
After a good three days in Bangkok I ventured to the City of Chiangmei (airfare 75 USD each way) which is 800 km north near the Myanmar (Burma) border. This city of 2 million is nestled in a valley and is far more comfortable and less frenetic than Bangkok. The temperature in January also was a comfortable 78 at mid-day rather then 90 and humid in BKK. Recommend the Royal Ping Garden and Resort (30 min. north of the city) for reasonable accomodations and theElephant safari/experience nearby.
Chiangmei offers great shopping values as well as a great night life. Their are many different side trips that can be reached from the area. A trip to Chian Rei and the Golden Triangle and also an excursion to Cambodia and Angkor Wat are worth the effort and run about $300 per person for 2 days with accomodations.
All in all my trip to Thailand was very pleasant and the cost of the air $500 round trip allowed me to experience alot more. Next time I'll be on the beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi Island. Ciao 4 now,
For more info contact: larry@couriertravel.org
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Trip Report - Argentina and Uruguay on the cheap! (this route is no longer available)
I flew as courier from New York City to Buenos Aires and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Length of Stay: 8 days
Airline: United Airlines
Booked courier run: 6 weeks in advance
Fare: $300 + 40 departure tax
This was my second courier run following a trip to Venezuela with the same company a year prior. I had gone to New York for Thanksgiving weekend and decided to take another trip to South America. I meet the courier company at the United Airlines 1st class ticket desk and received my boarding pass for the 10:45 PM flight. The flight is 10 hours long on the Boeing 767 and I also received 11,000 frequent flyer miles.
I arrived at Ezezia airport in Buenos Aires (BA) around 11 AM and proceeded to my free add-on flight to Montevideo, Uruguay. Upon arrival I had no courier duties so I proceeded to my pre-arranged hotel in Montevideo. Though I took a cab for $25 I should have opted for the bus into the city. I stayed at a comfortable, new Days Inn for $56 which includes a great breakfast on the 11th floor. This was a good move on my part because I was jet-lagged and needed to be refreshed. The location was great, right across the street from the new centralized bus station. Buses are the best transportation form in Uruguay! The terminal is a large mall so there's lots to see and do. There's a tourism office, cambio (bank) to get cash, lots of shops, post office and just a great place to get your bearings. A good nights rest and big breakfast and it’s off to Punta Del Este! I spent $6.50 for a comfortable 2 ½ bus ride along the Rio Del Plata from Montevideo to Punta on the Atlantic Coast. Buses are the only way to see Uruguay, cheap and comfortable.
Punta Del Este is known as the French Riviera of South America with its’ towering condos and plush high-end retail shops. The beaches were nice and the weather beautiful with sunny 75-80 degree days and a fresh breeze. I also stayed at the Days Inn in Punta but the accommodations at $56 a night and a non-functioning pool forced a move to a Best Western the next night. A Beautiful courtyard, room, and pool was worth the $80 one night stay. Punta Del Este is a beach resort so suffice it to say, enjoy the beach. The water is still cold for swimming in late Nov. but the tourists from Argentina have not arrived yet, though I found plenty of activity in the night clubs and casinos. Something to keep in mind…evening dining begins after 9 PM so eat a big lunch or snack in the afternoon. Try Conrads, the biggest casino in Punta for an unbelievable 5 star buffet for $23 USD. It’s elegant and offers exotic desserts and superb local fare.
A couple of days of fun and sun on the beach and it’s time for Argentina!
Due to my short 8day stay I decided to fly from Punta del Este into Bueno Aires (Jorge Newbery airport) to save on my travel time. I purchased a flight on Aerolineas Argentinas 20 minutes before departure for $94 USD total and flew the 45 minute flight in 1st class! I took an express bus to my apartment hotel (Best Western) for $3.00 (Ecuador line) and walked four blocks through the city. Buenos Aires tiled sidewalks are falling apart so watch your steps carefully. BA is a very European looking city. I decided to take a city bus tour for $15 and saw most of the tourist sites over a three hour tour. The tour helps you scout the city and define what else you may want to see or revisit. I booked my bus tour and a tango show at the Best Western front desk and was picked up right at the hotel.
I met an American at the hotel who had just couriered $75 million dollars in cash for the Federal Reserve to BA from Washington D.C. The point is; US dollars and Argentine Pesos are basically interchangeable.
While your there: Do a Tango Show! I had a huge steak, wine dessert, and the works plus a 3 ½ hour show all for $60 USD. The transportation was furnished from my hotel and my table company was from all over the world. English was never a real problem wherever I went. A little Spanish and even some German came in handy.
When in BA you must walk the pedestrian malls (Avenues Florida and Lavelle). If you want a beautiful Leather coat for cheap, or just want to people watch, it is the place to be. You need to bargain at wholesale leather shop! I bought my coat from American Leathers for $250 not the $460 price tag.
I just happened to be in Buenos Aires on a special day, GAUCHO DAY so upon my arrival I was surprised to see cowboys (gauchos) on horseback. Initially I thought it was just a tourist gimmick, but learned differently when 1,000 gauchos paraded on horseback through the city center and Plaza de Mayo.
TIPS: buy post cards of the obelisco and other attractions as many are hard to photograph. Always watch traffic carefully because the drivers can be maniacs.
My time was well spent in BA and I needed to return to Montevideo to complete my courier duties. I had one more spot I wanted to visit so I paid $35 to board the Buquebus. A High speed ferry took me across the Rio del Plata to Colonia, Uruguay. This 17th century contraband port was suggested in the Lonely Planet Guide and offered a quiet respite in a unique little town. The town is historic with streets and buildings dating to the 1600’s. The streets are shaded by sycamore trees and a full day of exploring is a must. A large portion of the town remains the same as it was back when the Portuguese traded under the noses of the Spaniards back in colonial times. Ask directions to La Casa de Charo for a room and breakfast $10 USD in a charming hacienda in the middle of town. Colonia is a great place to purchase inexpensive gifts and souvenirs.
Time to catch a bus back to Montevideo for my trip back to New York. Bus to Montevideo $6.00 one way. Approximately 2 hours. I always enjoy going places and look forward to my next adventure. I always enjoy flying courier and look forward to my next trip, Maybe Hong Kong!
Name withheld by request
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Auckland to Los Angeles
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Arthur Frommer, Spring 1998 Budget Travel
The best way to get a free flight is to be a regular courier... if I had been able to leave for Singapore in two days, I would have been able to fly for free. ... the best way to get a free flight is to be a regular courier. Make no mistake; deals are available--and with highly reliable air courier outfits.
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Eileen Glanton, December 1998 Associated Press
"Now, how cheap is cheap? The first week of November, you could have flown from New York to Frankfurt, Germany - and back - for $ 100 as a courier. Had you booked your flight by contact Delta Airlines at the last minute, you would have paid $ 1,991, leaving fewer Deutsche marks in your wallet."
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Lisa Carden, The Baltimore Sun March 7, 1999
"Being a courier can be a good way to get where you want to go for a fraction of the cost of regular airline travel."
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Christopher Reynolds, The Chicago Sun Times February 28, 1999
"Here's good news for bargain-chasers who don't mind traveling light and alone. Despite economic crises in Asia and business gyrations elsewhere, demand for courier travelers remains strong. More than 40,000 seats for couriers will be available on international flights this year."
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Michael McColl, Winter 1998 Travel Journal
"What is a courier? An air courier is a person who delivers packages for companies that are in the international overnight shipping business. Once you've flown as a courier, you may never pay regular over-the-counter fares again. Courier companies need individuals to accompany their mailbags through customs. They need people so badly they willingly pay about half of your airfare."
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Susan Carey, Wall Street Journal Staff Reporter
Courier flights are about the cheapest way to fly overseas. By babysitting other people's packages on commercial flights, travelers can cut the cost of their international air tickets by 50% to 85%. Sometimes, when courier companies are desperate for bodies, they'll even give away tickets. Couriers travel in coach class and usually get to keep the frequent-flier mileage they earn. With the mileage on top of the savings, your ticket is basically free."
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Bill O'Brian, The Washington Post
"The Goods: If you long to see the world, have a sense of adventure and want to save a buck, then being an air courier on occasion might be the ticket. With minor differences, it's exactly like traveling in coach class . . . only at half the cost.
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Last Word
The Last Word: Contrary to a common misperception, the courier usually doesn't carry anything through customs and often doesn't even see the shipment. On an established route, he or she runs no risk of being held legally responsible for the shipment's contents -- that's the courier company's responsibility -- according to several industry officials and U.S. Customs spokeswoman Patricia Coss."
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