Dr. Linda S. Ralston's Blog (aka Utah Tour Doctor)
Follow Me
  • An Introduction - Who is the TourDoctor?
  • Linda Ralston's Blogs & Social Media
    • Electronic Marketing Secrets Blog
    • ePortfolio Best Practices
    • Responsible & Sustainable Travel Blog
    • The Resort/Hotel Manager's Digest
    • Index to Linda's Pinterest Boards
    • The Sabbatical Blog
    • Blog Feedback/Survey
  • Travel Advice from the UTourDoctor
    • Preparing for the Journey - Tips for Traveling Light
    • Avoiding Unwanted Guests - Bed Bugs!
    • Far East Travel Advice
    • Huangshan, China Travel Tips >
      • Huangshan Area Maps
    • Ahihi Bay Snorkeling Tips
    • Tips for being a Sustainable Traveler
    • Travel Planning Tips
  • Photo Galleries
    • Pomeranians: Teddy & Grace
    • Photo Gallery at Lahaina Luau
    • Snorkeling at Ahihi Cove
  • Recommended Reading
    • Electronic Marketing Books
    • Travel Related Books
  • Contact Information
    • Linda Ralston on Facebook
    • Linda Ralston on Pinterest
    • Linda Ralston on Twitter

Save the Rhino with WWF Game

5/25/2013

6 Comments

 
Picture
The rhino are under attack in today and they need our help.  We can help fund efforts to save the rhino and have fun at the same time.  Please check out the game for your SmartPhone . . . it is available for both the iPhone/OS system and Android system.

Allow me to share a few facts about the rhino:

Black Rhino is also known as the hook-lipped rhino. Their lip is very helpful as they are browsers, eating bushes, shrubs, and lower branches of trees.  Their scientific name is Diceros Bicomis.  It is found in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Black Rhino is Critically Endangered with only 5,055 left today. 


The White Rhino is also known as the square-lipped rhino.  The white rhino is a grazer, eating grasses and other ground vegetation.  Their scientific name is Ceratotherium Simum.  They are found in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda,  At one time the white rhino was critically endangered with only 50 left in the wild.  Due to conservation efforts, the white rhino is now considered to be "near threatened" with 20,000 in the wild today.  

The Sumatran Rhino is also known as the hairy rhino.  The scientific name for the Sumatran Rhino is Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis.  This species of the rhino is found in Sumatra (Indonesia) and Sabah (Malaysia).  Unfortunately, is Critically Endangered with fewer than 100 left in the wild. The Sumatran Rhino species is older than any other mammal on earth.  It would be a real shame to lose this species.

Learn more at World Wildlife Fund Website with links for the Rhino Rad game at http://wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/games/rhino_raid/ 
6 Comments

To Check or Not to Check Luggage

5/16/2013

9 Comments

 
PictureTo Check or Not to Check Luggage
I am leaving for a last minute trip to California for just 4 days and there is always the consideration, do I check or not check? My choice varies according to the purpose and length of the trip and the amount of electronics I need to take with me.  I use to always use the overhead bin, but it has become a real zoo getting even a small bag on board a flight.  Therefore, I have developed a check list for deciding whether to check versus not to check a bag when flying.  

Check a Bag:

  • Traveling for a long business or pleasure trip of 1 or more weeks . . . the longer the trip the increased need to pack more clothes. 
  • Weight or size of bag exceeds the limits for carry-on luggage.
  • Preference for personal toiletries (special shampoos, etc.) or lodging at destination will not have toiletries (i.e., safari, camping, backpacking, etc.)
  • Assigned a late boarding group . . . even if you are sitting in the front of the economy seating if you are in the Group F, those boarding passengers before you will store their roller bags in overhead bins near your seat.
  • Airplane type for one or more segments of my flights do not have adequate overhead compartment bins available. If I need to wait for my luggage to be brought to me at the gate, this eliminates the convenience and time factor of what I might save by carrying-on luggage.
  • If traveling alone and there will be a lengthy time period between flights, then I will not want to drag my carry-on luggage to and from every shop, bathroom, restaurant, or Internet Cafe in order to comply with TSA guidelines for unattended luggage.  
  • Frequent flyer status, membership, credit card used to book flight, first or business class ticket eliminates the fees for checking luggage.
  • If checking luggage, I will purchase a separate travel insurance package that covers lost or delayed luggage. Do not depend on the airline to provide compensation for delayed luggage or assist you immediately upon arrival.

Carry-on Bag Only:

  • Traveling for a short business trip of 3-4 days. 
  • If traveling for an international or longer trip and I want to pack a change of clothes in case my checked luggage is lost or delayed.
  • Minimal number of clothes & shoes needed.
  • Weight or size of carry-on bag falls within the size requirements for carry-on luggage. 
  • Need to save time by avoiding the luggage carousel and connecting with ground transportation in order to meet a scheduled appointment.
  • Hotel at destination has shampoos & other toiletries that might be needed. (If I do plan to pack any liquids, the bottle must not exceed 3 ounces and all bottles must fit within a sandwich bag.)
  • Guaranteed early boarding or Priority Seating to ensure that you have access to the overhead bin near your seat.
  • Verified that the airplane type for each segment of my flights have adequate overhead compartment bins available.  Yes, you can Gate Check your carry-on, but this eliminates the time saved by not checking a bag.
  • Verify that I can lift the carry-on bag over my head to place in the overhead compartment.  I should never expect someone to help me load or retrieve my luggage.
  • Avoid luggage fees for checking luggage . . . just make sure that you do not exceed weight or size limits.
  • Returning from an international destination where I may be buying items that are fragile or valuable, then I will want to pack these items in a carry-on for the return trip. (Check out a folding carry-on bag to pack for extra space enroute.)
Picture
An example of a folding carry-on bag that can be packed for use enroute or on the return flight.
A folding carry-on bag is a great space saving and time saving item to use on extended international flights. Even if I am checking luggage, if I may need a carry-on bag during an international trip then I always pack a folding carry-on bag.  I tend to enjoy shopping for unique gifts . . . not the typical T-shirt but wonderful treasures that will evoke memories for many years to come.  Yes, you can always buy a cheap bag at a store at your destination but I tend to think this is a waste of our world's resources.  Be responsible and do what you can to avoid excessive waste.
9 Comments

    Author: Linda Ralston

    This blog is authored by Dr. Linda Ralston with the intent of educating tourists on how to be responsible and sustainable in their travel experiences. Check out the latest news with the Resort Manager's News . . . a free paper updated daily.

    Check out my other blogs:
    eLearning Blog
    eMarketing Blog
    ePortfolio Blog
    Sabbatical Blog (2009)


    Please tell me about your experience with my blog.

    Linda Ralston

    Archives

    February 2014
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    September 2011

    Categories

    All
    Bryce National Park
    Clouded Leopard
    Ecotourism
    Endangered People
    Endangered Species
    General Travel Tips
    Global Citizenship
    Infographics
    Recycling
    Resort Management News
    Responsible Tourist
    Responsible Travel Tips
    Safe Harbor
    Sex Trafficking
    Student Blogs
    Sustainability
    Sustainable Tourism
    Tourism Growth
    Travel News
    Utah Treasures
    Wildlife
    Yellowstone National Park
    Zion National Park

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly