Find Cheap Hotels in Nairobi

Ticket Cost Subject To Seat Availability

"Ticket cost subject to seat availability' If you are a frequent traveller you are familiar with these words, not the best to your ears but true and very useful. When an airline  or a travel agent tells you that the fare is subject to seat availability, it means the next time you inquire the same fare may not be available and yet  the flight is not full.

Airlines have segmented their fares into groups to ensure they offer good fares to their customers and at the same time make profits, as a result there are different levels of classes with different fares both in economy and business class. If your flight is  full when you are travveling your neighbour may have paid more or less than you depending on when they bought their ticket. Lower fares are normally sold first and the most expensive last. If an airline does not fill up their flight, their profit margin goes down. The fuller the flights, the more the profits for the airline. So, where does this leave you as a passenger? Why should you pay more or less than your counterpart and yet the service you receive on board are the same.

There is always a catch in any good deals they say, same applies to air tickets. The cheaper your ticket is, the more restrictive it is as well. You may not be able to make changes in your ticket or if you do, the change fee are going to be high. A refund may not be possible on such a ticket or the amount refunded is very low. When buying your ticket, always inquire to find out the fare rules that gorven your ticket. This will allow you to make un informed decision.

54 Countries, One Passport- The African Union Passport

Africa is known to be among one of the most beautiful tourim destinations in the world preferred by many. Many investor also have an eye on this continent as it is viewed to have a lot of pontential now and in the future. Trade in and out of the continent is growing steadly with a few challenges here and there one of them being the visa requirements within african states that vary from one state to another. The decision of the African union to have an African Union E-passport is a great welcome to many more especially the African traders. The Lauch of the passport is expect in July during the next AU summit in Rwanda Kigali. What benefits are you likely to see from this launch?

Photo source. Freeimages.com/Yoshi Aka

Traders
The launch of the Afica Union Passport will facilitate free movement of goods, services and persons within the continent. This is expected to boost trade, interaction as well as social economical growth. If you are a trader you will have opportunities to venture into new markets either for raw materials or for your goods and services. The opportunities to grow your business within Africa will be boardeless and limited only to your aggressiveness and passion. Besides you will have saved more cash which you can inject to your business.

Tourists
 If this dream is realized, we are looking towards a borderless Africa and a great welcome not only to traders but tourists as well. The idea that you are goin to save a few dollars that could have been spent for a visa makes your trip cheaper, besides you will have some extra cash to explore more. You may have been deterred to visit a county due to the inaccessibility of a visa to that country, now you will not have to worry about that so long as you have the African union passport. If you had a dream of exploring your continent, you will have cheaper unlimited boardes before you.

The student
We would expect more student exchange programs as the cost is expected to go down. Hopefuly if you are a student and want to study away from home within the continet, you will have more options on the table to choose from and you will not have to worry about the cost of a visa or how to get one as it is currently.

The Locals and social Economic Development
We expect that the local will benefit more from the open boardes as they will have an opportunity to showcase their products to a larger audience. Further more the rate of money circulation will be expectd to rise, and so will be the need for infructructure, goods and services. We do expect  a lot of positives from the Lauch of this passport.

There are a lot of expection from the Launch of the AU Passport, I am one of the many who cannot wait to have this travel document. The quest for for exploration of my lovely continent will be made easier and cheaper. The lauch of free movemeny within the East African community was good news to many, this one is going to be great.

What To Consider When buying That Air Ticket

The first thing that comes to mind when you plan to pack your bags and travel the world is a plane ticket. Whether you are fying within Kenya, out of or into Kenya, air travelling is the most convenient mode of transport as it is quick and saves you a lot of time and the fatigue that comes with land or water travel. I guess you would love to go for the best deals in the market, I always do. So, what do you take into consideration when buying your ait ticket? I would love to take you through some steps that I find useful when I set out to buy my ticket to ensure i get the best deals out there.

Fare
This is the first thing to condider before you buy your air ticket. You have to ensure that the fare is affordable to enable you save enough to enjoy the rest of your trip. Research online and from various carries plying the route for the best offers in the market. Your travel agent can also advise you on the offers available in the market. Chances are you are likely to find affordadble offers to save that 50 dollar or more for an extra luxary or entertainment at your destination.

Routing
Depending on the nature of your travel, you will have to take into consideration your routing before you buy that air ticket. If you are going for a business trip, you will find direct flights more convenient though they are expensive as compared to connecting flights. You would want to be on time and refreshed before you meet your business assosciates, besides direct flights have less disruption risks as compared to connecting flights. On the other hand if you are on a tour spree you will not mind a connecting flight, it is not only cheaper but it will allow you to expolre more airports and countries if you have enough transit time and your travel documents allow it. Unless you are in a hurry to get to your destination more especially where you have to meet up with a group for your tour, I would recomend connecting flights. They are always the best for the adventurous traveller. Besides, if your flight gets disrupted for long hours during transit, you get to be put up in a good hotel at the airline's cost and you may get a chance to explore more of that country.

Luxary Verses Convenience
Some of us love travelling in luxary others for convenience, get there, do you business and get back home. Whichiever is your style, this will determine your class of travel as well as the carrier you choose. A low cost airline will not offer you the luxary of comfort and meals, but it will get you to your destination at a cheaper fare. However, you will need to consider your luggage expenses as luggage is paid separately from your ticket as well as meals and other extra services. For a more luxarious travel, you may have to part more cash for your comfort. The good thing is that your luggage allowance will be more, meals included and you have a chance to choose your special meals as well as prebook for your seat well in advance. More previleges will of course be added if you are a frequent traveller registred with the carrirer's loyalty program.

The Carrier
More and more Airlines have entered the Air Transport industry nowaday as compare to the past, and more airlines are venturing into deastinations which were never served before or had an airline monopoly. Good news for us travellers, we have many options to choose from unless our destination has only one airline in operatin in which case we have no alternative. Before buying your airticket, do your research on the services offered by each airline, their schedule intergrity and airsatey records in relation to the their airfare before getting hold of that ticket. You want to get the best deal for your money and have a memorable and delightdul experience during your trip as well.

Conditions of carriage
Most of us have this weakness when we buy good and services, we only remember the fine prints when something goes wrong. It is  higly recomendable to read that fine print about the conditios of carriage. It will guide you in regard to how much liability the airline will take in case of delays, cancellations and baggage irregurarities.Most airlines, if not all have this online for ease access, take your time and go through it. Having a clear picture of the conditions of carrige of a carrier will enable you to make an informed choice, besides  you will know your rights in case of any disruptions or irregurarities during your  trip.

Cheap is not always cheap
Cheap air tickets are only cheap if your trip goes as planned, however they attract the most expensive penalities if you have to change your date of travel. Always make a point of checking with the airline or your travel agent how flexible your ticket will be in case you decide to make some changes. The terms and conditions are also available in soft copy in case you are booking online, check on it before you click that "I agree to the terms and condition" button. This will safegurd you from a lot of inconveniences if you decide to make some changes to your travel plans later besides,you may incur extra money was not bugdeted for. On the extream side you may end up losing all your money as some tickets can not be changed nor refunded, if they are refundable you end up losing the larger percentage of your cash.

Travel documents verces Transit points
Some countries may not allow you to transit their territory depending on local gorvenment regulations, other may require you to have a transit visa for the same. These regulations may apply even when you are not entereing the country so long as you are within an airport of that country. It will be painful to buy a ticket, only to find out at the airport that you can not go via that route or  you have inadequate travel documents for your transit destination. Most of us have the habit of asking the carrier or our travel agent if we require such documentation. You will get your answers yes, however, I highly recomend that you get in touch with the relevnat immigartion authorities to ensure you have the most current information.

It is my hope that you are now more informed about your travel the next time you choose to buy that air ticket for your trip. As always, do not hesitate to get in touch in case you have a question or a contribution to make. Lets have fun and have a pleasant flight for your next adventure.

William Hills Hike

I arrived at the Bata shop near Hilton Hotel Nairobi CBD at 0706hrs, six minutes late at the meeting point where I met Jackson the organizer of the Hike by Kenya Outdoors. Jackson showed me to the van parked opposite the Bata shop where I met my hiking colleagues for the first time. We were not a big group, but from my understanding it is the smallest group the Agency has ever catered for, 14 in total. The number for me was not an issue, I was excited for the hike it has been two years since my last hike and I was looking forward to this one, besides it was my first time for the William Hills.
As promised we left Nairobi City a few minutes to 0800 am, we took the Waiyaki highway through Westlands via Limuru towards Narok. I always took this road on my way home to Kisii, seen the numerous Hills of the Mau Escarpment along the way but knew nothing much about them. Now I had an opportunity to attach every hill to a name and get to hike one of them.

The Arrival
We arrived at The Soldiers Catholic Church which is a long Narok Mai Mahiu Road where we were joined by John who was to be our guide for the day, a very Jovial and knowledgeable young man probably in his early thirties. He not only knew the names of the hills, but the history behind every hill. William Hill was named after an English explorer/elephant task businessman who was attacked long before independence by the locals. William was buried on that Hill and so the William Hill. I would have loved to see the sport where he was buried but never got to ask that question, I will make a point of asking the next time am there.

Journey begins
The arrival marked our end of vehicle travel and the beginning of foot travel. After a short introduction, we set out for the hike. We took a slopping flat road on our left about 10km to the base of the hill. I call it a sloping flat because when on it ,it is flat, from the hill summit you can see how it slops gently to the base of the hill.The weather was convenient, neither too cold nor hot and the sun was behind the clouds. It had not rained and we had no fear of wet surfaces, perfect day for hiking. We walked for about 02 hrs to the base of the hill, near a river and the first sign of settlement in the area most likely because of the source of water. The area is part of the great Rift Valley and is prone to dryness most of the year round. We were in luck to enjoy the green scenery during this wet season. The settlement has a few buildings not more that eight, one of then an Anglican Inland Church, and a village hotel (not the typical hotel you have in mind) it is more of a shade but the lady there served us with the nicest mandazi and tea with a smile. We waited here for other group members who had lagged behind before we started the ascent.

The Climb
The first few meters and was reminded that the last time I did a hike up a hill was two years ago. I was not unfit, but I was not as fit as I used to be back then, more so the sun had decided to come from behind the clouds and bit down on us. More water is what I could think of, I was however able to to keep up with the leading pack. One hour up the hill and we came across a flat of about 1km strech, we went slightly down to Osotua Capmsite. We had a break here before we started up the Hill once again.

Osotua Campsite

The hill was more steep here and the climb slow as expected. I was not as fast as I was before, a few steps and a rest, the best thing about the climb was the scenery behind us. The view of the rift valley was breath taking. This is one of the most exciting part of hiking, the scenery, it is one thing I can never exchange for anything. On our way up we met five teenage boys coming down the hill, I guess part of locals residing downhill , they were quite amazed as to where we were headed to up hill, a clear indication that not many hikers come over here.

The Summit
I finally made it up the hill to the Summit and the satisfaction of every hiker was written all over my face, and the view? I cannot put words to it, it was simply amazing. We took our snacks as we waited for the others. I came, I saw and conquered. That is how my passion for hiking was re-born after two years off the field.

The descent
The descent was faster and shorter on the opposite side of the hill. On this side there was more live, houses and farms. We made our way to the road through the farms to our waiting van by the road. We had one last stop in Limuru for a late snack before we were back to Nairobi. We arrived Nairobi at around 1900 hrs, tired but content. William Hill is one place that should be in your bucket list when visiting Kenya.

Your Safety At The Ramp

What is the Ramp?

Generally I would say it is a place where planes park in a lay man's language.

Most of us may not have set our eyes on the Ramp even though we are frequent travelers. We may have however heard of workers who have been ingested by plane engines. The general notion is that we as travelers are not prone to this kind of risks when travelling. If you are boarding from well developed airports, you may never have time to set foot on the Ramp leave alone set you eyes on it. Precautions have been taken to ensure such does not happen, so your safety has been taken care of. Once in awhile or more frequently you may have to use airports which do not have such kind of facilities, you may be required to use the Ramp when boarding or disembarking. As much as the airline and airport authorities have put measures to ensure your safety, I believe in taking full responsibility of my life and so should you.We are going to have a look at a few travel tips that you should know in case you find yourself within the Ramp when travelling. Remember you can also find yourself in this kind of situation in well developed airports as well in case of emergencies, so let's go through this together.

Noise
The Ramp is one noisy place from the equipment and vehicles at the ramp as well as the planes. This noise can be damaging to the ears more especially the ones from a running engine. The longer the exposure the more at risk your ear drums are. I always make a point of carrying some earplugs to keep of the noise as well as protect my ear drums. You will also find them in handy if you are trying to have some sleep on board, you never know who your neighbors are going to be. I once sat beside a couple who talked all night, I was grateful I had my earplugs at hand. I was able to take a good nap before landing.

Equipment

The Ramp is a busy place, there will be baggage trolleys being towed around, flight steps, fueling vehicles, passenger buses and vans among others. Let us say it can be more chaotic than the normal road you use, the good thing is that if you have to use the Ramp, there are airport and airline staff to guide you through to avoid you from running into or being run into. There are also clear marking to indicate passenger walkways. It is always safe to follow the markings which resemble the normal zebra crossing we are all familiar with, in some cases they may be in form of footprints. When in doubt, always ask the staff around for direction and safe walkways. Most airport will provide you with a bus so you will not have to do the walking.

Engine thrust
A moving plane always has an engine trust and it is powerful enough to blow away a truck, that is how powerful a thrust can be. The airline or airport authorities will not allow you to go near a live engine, however if you find yourself at the ramp and plane taxiing in or out, keep off till the plane is well parked and engines turned off or has taxed off completely. It is also good to know that there have been cases where workers have been ingested by engines when aircraft are parked. Yes this can happen if the engines were come live by fault, be on the look when boarding or disembarking via the Ramp. Follow airline staff instruction and directions to the latter. 

Spillage
Spillage may occur from any equipment at the Ramp, airport authorities always make sure that this is cleaned up immediately. However if you are the first to note spillage, go round it and let the staff know about it. Spillage can cause fall downs and injuries if stepped on, the same goes for water spillage during and after rain. Since you can not go round a wet Ramp due to rain, be careful and steady in your steps.

Smoking

I know how much you may want that puff more so if you are in a non smoking airport. Whatever you do, never ever smoke at the Ramp, smoking at a petrol station will be much safer than smoking at the ramp. There are hundred of oil pipes and vents at the ramp. Most vents will be in operation (engaged) as planes have to be fueled, a tiny spark can easily cause a huge blast and a blinding fire for the whole airport. The ramp is one of the most dangerous places in the world when it comes to fire outbreaks, keep that cigar as far away as you can when at the ramp.

Phones

The same reason you are advised not to pick your calls at a petrol station applies to the Ramp. The magnetic fields and the oil vapors more especially during fueling can easily cause a fire. Keep cool and take that call inside the plane, you will have time to communicate before take off. The chances of a spark fire are minimal but not impossible as all precautions have been taken into account, I prefer to always be on the safer side that regret later and besides there is too much noise to have any effective communication at the Ramp.

Safety cycle

Airport authorities always ensure a safety cycle around an aircraft. Passengers as well as equipment are not allowed to encroach this space either for the safety of the passengers or the safety of the aircraft. You may notice cones put at specific points of the plane, it is simple avoid that safety parameter. You will also find staff to guide you accordingly, the safely circle will prevent you from approaching the engine even if it is idle and passing under the wings. Even if it is raining, you will not find shelter under the wings, it is a no go zone.

 It is my hope that you have learnt something new today. Do you know of any safety tips for the Ramp. Please feel free to share, we will be glad to answer any of your questions too.

How much do you know about your passport?

Last week I saw a man go wild when he was denied boarding on a flight on his way to Johannesburg. Reason, he did not have enough blank pages on his passport. He was not a first time traveler, and the fact that he has never encountered such kind of regulation before made his reaction understandable. Unfortunately there is nothing much an airline can do under such circumstances, travel documents are solely the responsibility of the traveler, they only reinforce such regulations as set down by various countries. Some airlines may not be so keen on such regulations and you may get yourself to your destination only to be denied entry. It is advisable that you get familiar with these regulations before you set out for your trip. The regulations vary from one destination to another. Today we are going to explore our knowledge on passport regulations.

Blank pages on your Passport
Like our friend found out, you are likely to be denied boarding if you do not have enough blank pages on your passport. Some countries require that you have a blank page/pages for visa or entry and exit stamps. It does not matter how small  the entry stamp may be, some countries are very strict on blank pages on your passport, they may vary from one page to six pages. Do enough research on your destination and prepare accordingly. You would not want to have to cut short your trip at the airport because of missing a blank page not forgetting that this is not something you can fix in a matter of hours or a day.

Passport Expiry dates
Your passport maybe expiring in the next two months, yes it is valid but this can deny you entry in some destinations. The duration varies from one country to another up to more than six months validity from the date of entry. I highly recommend you renew your passport a year before expiry. Can you imagine arriving at your destination only to be denied entry because of the expiry of your passport? I guessed as much, it is one experience you would not want to encounter leave alone the idea of explaining to your friends or employer why you were denied entry. Not a nice picture.

Additional pages on your Passport
If your passport is full, consider applying for a new passport. Most countries if not all no longer allow the additional of new pages on passports, it is a regulation that is being enforced to curb fraudulence. Recheck your passport to ensure it is valid for travel in case you are travelling in the near future to avoid the last minute oh! surprise of I did not know when the rules changed

Significant damage to your passport will require a new one
Normal wear and tear is expected of your passport, however if your passport has significant tear, water(liquid) damage or unofficial markings renders your passport invalid. Consider getting a new one, better still keep that passport out of reach of children who are prone to make interesting drawings on every book they come across.

Alteration in your appearance
Immigration board agents as well as airline agents are trained on features to look for in you appearance so dying your hair or cutting it short should not be a reason for you to opt for a new passport. However, if you have had changes in your physical appearance due to surgery, face uplift, face tattoos or weight gain you should renew your passport accordingly. In some countries you may be required to apply for a new passport due to age. For example if you got your passport at the age of three 10 to 15 years ago, you will be required to apply for a new one. It is considered that your physical appearance has changed significantly by then.

Some country stamps may deny you entry to another
Surprised? So was I when I found out. Some stamps in your passport can put you in trouble, for example entry stamps to Israel in your passport can deny you entry to some countries in the Middle East like Lebanon and and Saudi Arabia. Organize yourself if you are planning to visit such kind of countries. A good research on the countries you have visited against your destination is advisable.

I hope now you know better about your passport. Do not hesitate to ask any question about your travel documents. We will be glad to assist or get you an expert to to guide you through. Happy Travels!

Let's Talk About Air Tickets Part 1, Non Refundable Tickets.

I am a fan of social media and I follow a lot of travelers online.I get to learn a lot about travel experiences.These experiences are always full of fun and exciting till one decides to cancel their itinerary and of course they want their money back. If you are an economist like me, I know you choose the cheapest offers in the market, why not, after all every penny counts more so if you have plans of exploring more destination like the ones I have planned for this year, I hear you. The nightmare begins when the airline or the agents informs you that your ticket is non refundable. Wo wo wo , wait, what do you mean my ticket is non refundable, we are talking about my hard earned $1020? I know what you're thinking, this is straight unfair and I agree with you it is unfair, 100% yes from face value. Why should you pay for services you have not consumed anyway? If you travel frequently you have come across such scenarios and I am sure it never made any sense back then, it has not and maybe never will.

As you travel more and more you will realize that you will pay different fares to a destination with the same airline, now it is cheaper and it doubles in the next two hours or so and you wonder why? I want to take you through this journey step by step so that you may have more understanding on air tickets and air fares. Today we are going to talk about non refundable tickets.

What do airline mean when they say your ticket is non refundable?
A non refundable ticket means you will not get your money back if you choose to cancel your itinerary, as simple as that. It is a policy across most if not all airlines, well I have not heard of any that does not sell non- refundable tickets. We can equate it to sales policy in some stores where goods once sold cannot be returned.

What makes a ticket non refundable?
A ticket becomes non refundable due various reasons.

Promotional Tickets
Many tickets on offer if not all are non refundable. That means if you buy and pay for you ticket now, and you decide you are not taking the trip in the next second, you are not getting your money back. Many offers are made by airlines to promote a new destination, attract more customers, or on special occasions like Easter, valentines or Christmas. Promotional tickets in some cases do not make money for the airline unless they are sold in bulk, such tickets are non refundable like goods once sold cannot be returned. It is your choice if you want to consume the goods/service or not. I highly recommend you buy such tickets when you are sure about your trip to avoid any cancellations.   

Discounted tickets
Discounted tickets are sold cheaper than the normal published fares. An airline may decide to select a few seats and sell them at discounted fares. A discounted ticket may be fully non-refundable or partially refundable. When a ticket is partially refundable it means you can get a refund on some taxes. In most cases  a small percentage of your full ticket. On some discounted tickets you can get a refund before you take your flight, however if you have used part of the ticket then the rest may be non refundable.

How do I know if my ticket is non refundable?
Some airline or agents will issue you with a ticket and it is clearly written on the footer that the ticket is non-refundable among other condition that govern your ticket, in some cases you will not. The best way to find out is to ask when you are purchasing your ticket. You will be in a position to make an informed decision before you do the purchase.

Can I reschedule my flight if I have a non refundable ticket?
Some non refundable tickets allow for a reschedule, however it is advisable to note that such tickets attract the highest change of reservation fee and for some you can not change at all. I always make a point of finding out if my ticket has an allowance for rescheduling in case I decide otherwise.

The airline has changed my schedule, will I get a refund on a non refundable ticket?
Most airline if not all will refund your ticket in full if they cancel your flight and you have decided not to take the trip because of the changes. However it is good to note that some taxes like service fee are non refundable if you did not book your ticket online. Do not expect to get all your monies back.

Ridiculous Questions They Ask About Your Check-in Luggage Or Are They?

Some Questions they ask you when you are checking in for your flight, very ridiculous or are they?
When I started working in the airline industry over 10 years ago, I was instructed to ask some questions religiously before accepting customers to check in for a flight. I thought some of those questions were ridiculous, I got to be asked same question more or less the same every time I checked in for my flight at the airport. From face value, you will agree with me they are ridiculous or unnecessary. Let us go through some of the questions together.

Is this your Luggage?
Give me a break, why would you ask me if this is my Luggage, who else would it belong to? And what if it is not mine, what do you care? It could be for my friend or brother, all the same it is mine now, I am the one checking it in.You are right about one thing, once you check it in, it is your bag and you assume full responsibility. It is a familiar reaction for first time travelers and for frequent travelers it could be an annoying question you get to hear now and again. Is it really necessary? My personal opinion, yes it is. I have come to appreciate this question more and more as I travel and sometimes I wish the same could apply to road transport systems. The airline industry is very volatile and security concerns has been on the rise. For your safety and mine, airlines have put measures to ensure that you are aware of the luggage you are checking in, checking in a bag that does not belong to you with no knowledge of its contents may put your safety as well as of other travelers at risk. Go easy on the check-in agent and politely answer the question as honest as possible.

Did you pack this Luggage yourself

Oh my goodness, why on earth would the airline want to know if I packed my bag myself? From the face value it sure does not make sense at all and I would have agreed with you 100% over ten years ago on this. I would be in a hurry and ask my spouse to pack my bag for me or a house help would do the work as I get myself ready. Packing a travel bag is not my favorite part either, however I ensure I do it myself or supervise the packing, this way, I am in a position to ensure I do not carry staff that are forbidden for check in, stuff that can be dangerous mid air or worse still God forbid someone packing something in your bag that can put you on the wrong side with the law. One thing I hate about travelling is when I have to remove some stuff from my travel bag at the airport or worse still having to answer some questions to the custom authorities about things in my bag that I did not pack myself or was not aware about. Trust me it is not a good experience, if you have been in this kind of situation you know what I am talking about. If you did not pack your luggage, checked in or carry on at least know every item that is in your luggage, the airline is concerned about your safety.

Did you Leave your luggage unattended at any time?
Unattended luggage includes the one you left for that guy beside you when you felt a need to visit the toilets or get your ticket from the sale shops. Your bag was with someone else not you, it was unattended. We are trustful most of the time, but not everybody is trustworthy, anyone can put anything in your travel bag at any time. Dangerous or not, you need to be aware of what you are carrying in your luggage at all times. I highly recommend that you stay with your luggage at all times, if you have to leave it behind, let it be with someone you trust like a family member and only if they are travelling with you. It is also good to inquire if they have put anything extra in your bag in case they have and what it is, more especially if they are not frequent travelers. Recheck you bag in case you have left it behind with someone else. It is highly recommended.

Are you aware of the contents of your luggage?
Well I have carried a package for a friend to deliver to his cousin abroad, an extra box for the guy behind me on the line who has busted his weight limit, but does it really matter? I have known my friends for long and the guy behind me is travelling with me on the same plane. Hello! who told you he is going to board the flight at the gate or take responsibility at custom clearance? You should be 100% aware of all the contents in your luggage. When I say 100% I do not mean 99.9%. It does not matter who packed your travel luggage, you are the carrier of your luggage and you take 100% responsibility of its contents from the time you check in, to the time you clear with customs at the port of entry. You can not convince the authorities that it was your spouse who packed your luggage or the possibility of your 10 year old putting something in your travel luggage which you were not aware about. Be alert at all times, keeping your luggage safe is prioritizing your safety more than you think.

Thank you for going through this with me, if you have some ridiculous questions they ask about your travel luggage at check in, share with us and we will go through it together to see if it is really necessary. I hope you are now more enlightened about your travel bag contents and how they affect your safety.

The Nairobi National Museum

If you love a story behind everything you come across like me, the Nairobi National Museum is your place to go. I have gone to this place severally and I always look forward to visiting. It is not what I see but more of the experience I get and the people I meet every time I visit that makes each visit a unique one. Nairobi National Museum is located near Nairobi CBD, I would say the only one within the city of Nairobi. It is not very big so you do not have to worry about spending too much time exploring , but it sure is interesting, if you want to learn more about the culture and history of the Kenyan people, this is one place that should be on your list when visiting Kenya. It is easily accessible by public transport, you can also hire a taxi if you prefer.

What to expect at the museum:

Preserved animals and birds

The museum has a collection of preserved animals and birds of Kenya some of them extinct or endangered species. You can easily go through the history accompanying the displays or you can make use of the guides who are readily available, I prefer having a guide, they make each display come alive in their explanation plus you get to learn more on the sides. There is also more information on what the government is doing to preserve the endangered species, all you have to do is ask .

An elaborate history of Kenya and its people.
This is my best part, yes I am Kenyan by birth I have lived in Kenya as long as I can remember, but I never tire of hearing about the history of my people, it is always interesting. Kenya is a nation of over 42 indigenous groups (tribes) each very distinct in their own cultures but closely related with each other in one way or another. I am proud to be associated with this diversity in culture that is so united in harmony. The arts and crafts from these cultures portray the ancient talent passed over from one generation to the other occasionally marked with a spark of modernization here and there. You will find some of these displayed in the shops nearby, a good souvenir not to miss. I always find something to carry home as the artists surprise me with their creativity every time I visit. 

A snake park

The snake park is an extension of the museum. It does have a few variety of snakes,you will also find a display of different kind of fish, tortoise, snails and crocodiles. I find this quite amazing considering it is within a big city like Nairobi. I am not a fan of snakes so you will understand why I skip this part of excitement, if you love snakes and reptiles them I would recommend that you do not miss out on this one, you will love it.

Artwork
The artwork here is amazing.You will find most of it displayed outside the Nairobi National Museum, some of it for sale so grap one if you love it, the rest is within the museum for display only. Occasionally the museum is used as a expo center to show case various artists and their artwork, you may be lucky to visit on one of these rare exciting occasions. The artwork ranges from functional to aesthetic, you may find a nice piece of cloth or  a perfect shoe mostly sandals which are lovingly handmade. You never go back home without one of these, the Maasai Shukas are also available, they range in prices according to density. I have like four or five of them myself and I find them very useful on long haul flights to keep away the cold. They are easily portable and warm, they also come in a variety of colors, you will be spoiled for color.

Guides

What I like best about the Nairobi National Museum is the presence of museum guides who are very friendly, informative and eager to answer all the questions that you may have. If you get to visit the museum,take advantage of the guides and learn as much as you can. Do not be afraid to ask for any information you need to know about the city of Nairobi, how to get around, the convenient mode of transport and where you can get nice relatively cheap food in town. These guides seem to know almost every corner of the city on top of their work at the museum, it is expected, after all they live here.

Archaeological exhibits

Nairobi National Museum has some archaeological exhibits from around the area that you may find very interesting, each of the exhibits has a history behind it. Take your time to learn more about them, they will give you an insight to the history of Kenya and what the Kenyan people treasure and hold close to their hearts. You will also get to learn the history of mankind, remember the evidence of history of mankind and evolution was discovered in Kenya dating back to 7 million years ago.  The museum guides will be more than ready to answer any of your questions about the cradle of mankind 

which provides a great wealth of information regarding early human physiology than anywhere in the world.

School children

It is expected, the Nairobi National Museum being a custodian of the Kenyan History, many schools bring students here to learn about their culture, history as well as the animal and bird species of Kenya. They are numerous in their numbers during weekdays, I highly recommend weekends for visits, the students are minimal and of course you will have the full attention of the guides and you can take all the time you want in each station without feeling hurried along.

If you are in Nairobi, do not feel bored out, get yourself around the Nairobi National Museum and have the best that this place can offer.Works  for those on transit for long hours at Jomo Kenyatta International airport too, all you need to do is organize for your transit visa if you need one. You have no excuse to miss out on this one, get exploring!

How to Budget for Your Trip

I can call myself a frequent traveler, yes I am considering I travel 2 times in a month on the minimum and the most challenging part of my travel- you got it, the budget. It does not matter how many times I travel, making a budget is a challenge, sticking to it is even more challenging. Initially I made a rough budget on my travel, all I would do was ask a friend who has been there on the cost of transport and accommodation, I would do a rough estimate and off I go for my trip. The results were quite stressful, most of the time I ended up busting my budget and to avoid more inconveniences I would cut short my trips or on do away with some of the places I would have loved to visit. My vacations ended in a low tone with wishes of I should have known better, I should have carried more money, I should have done more research on the sites and places to visit, the list was endless. There were just too many ifs. With time and experience I learnt to budget for my trips effectively to make them more enjoyable and comfortable, am going to share with you some of my travel tips on how to come up with an effective budget for your trip.

Do your research
This is a must do for all travelers, it does not matter whether you are paying for your trip or someone else is paying for it. You have to research on your travel destination, know the most interesting sites you would like to visit, how to get there and if you will be required to pay for entrance fees. Find out the safest and convenient mode of transport and how much it will cost to avoid inconveniences as well as extortion from some greedy locals. This will guide you to come up with an effective budget.

Plan
Plan way ahead for your vacation financially. I have made it a rule to set aside some savings every month for my vacations, it saves me the stress of raising money at the last minute or eating into my budget to offset the cost of my trips.The best way to save for your trip is to open a separate account and save for your trip in advance, I call mine “The Entertainment Account”. The good thing about having an account for your travel plans, is that you can comfortably plan a trip within a short notice if need be with little strain to your finances. Make a habit of making monthly saving, I know this is going to be hard at first because you would not know how much is adequate for monthly savings, do not worry about this, with time you will learn from your experiences your average budget and this can guide you on how much you can put away for your trips.

Transport
It always comes first on my budget. Find out the mode of transportation to your destination and how much it will cost. Plan and budget within convenience of your finances and the time duration you would like to spend en route. Do not forget to include the budget for getting around during your vacation, airport or train transfers, and car rentals. I always include travel documents like visas, travel insurance cover policy, medical certificates and passports related costs under this category. Passport related costs may range from getting a new passport to renewal or extensions.

Accommodation
Your budget should include accommodation, research and establish the best mode of accommodation available at your destination and budget accordingly. If possible book well in advance to get the best rates. I highly recommend you to confirm in advance if your accommodation includes or excludes services like laundry, food, transfer to and from the airport or train stations. Establish whether you have full board, half board and if you can make choices between the two for your budget convenience. You will notice that in most cases eating out is cheaper than having your food as part of your accommodation, you will also have a wide variety of meals to choose from unlike the standard buffets offered in most hotels.

Food
The fact that your hotel accommodation is full board does not mean you do not have to budget for food, many of us fall victim of this oversight. Budget for food including water that you may need during your trip i.e before your arrival at your hotel or home on your return. Remember that your full board only covers you within the hotel premises, hence you will have to budget for food expenses you may incur while visiting sites or away from the hotel. Many hotels if not all will specify what full board includes in regard to food, you may be required to carry extra money for drinks or special recipes not inclusive in your full board accommodation

Weather
Oh yes, I budget for the weather, I know you are wondering how on earth do you budget for the weather. This is how, it is going to affect the choice of your travel gear, from your travel bag, clothes, shoes and of course umbrellas. In some destinations, transport cost may change as the weather changes, crazy isn’t it. For instance, in some towns in Kenya, public transport may increase by 5% to 20% due to poor road network that causes traffic Jam and of course more fuel and time consumption. It is a minor detail but worthy noting.

Gifts and Souvenirs

Always budget for gifts and souvenirs, they maybe for friends, family or for your self. There is always something new and nice that you would want to carry back home. It may have a functional value, aesthetic or simply sentimental.

Communication

Have a budget set aside for your communication needs. You may want to keep in touch with your family more often, knowing how much this is going to cost you and having a budget for it will keep your mind at ease away from home. Occasionally you may need to call the hotel where you are staying or the people you are staying with to let them know if you need any help or your expected late arrival. In case you decide to extend your travel plans you may want to communicate with your agent or airline to make the necessary changes. Keeping my self up to date with current news is important, I budget newspapers and browsing expenses under this category.

Clothes and toiletries

Last but not least remember to budget for your clothes and toiletries. Most clothes you may not require to buy but the weather may dictate whether you are going to buy some stuff or not. You can choose to carry your toiletries or buy them at your destination whichever is cheaper and convenient. As usual check out with your airline to confirm what you can carry and the amount  in case these include liquid stuff. 

Useful Tips

• Plan your budget with international currency convertion in mind.
• Give yourself an allowance for miscellaneous expenses of about 5%- 25% (this is personal and will vary from one traveler to another and destination
• Do you ever budget for tipping, well you should, in some destinations tipping is a norm :-) 

Good Reasons Why You Should Have a Travel Insurance.

Travel insurance is a policy offered by insurance companies,these policies offer assistance in case of any inconveniences when travelling by air. 

Many of us shun the idea of having a travel insurance, I have done it before and gotten away with it in the past until my flight was once delayed for over 48 hours and I had to spend extra cash of which was not budgeted for and of course you can imagine what happened next. I returned  home half broke and I had to re-budget my next three months to get back on track financially. Of course we got some kind of compensation from the airline but this was not enough. I was envious of my colleagues who had taken a travel insurance cover, they always did, they were able to offset some of the expenses from their cover. I learnt though through the hard way that a travel insurance is important, more so if you are travelling abroad.

A Travel insurance policy should be among your must haves when travelling. Such a policy gives you peace of mind in case of any inconveniences. A good travel insurance is a friend and a helping hand you need when the unexpected barges into your travel schedule and plans.Areas that a travel insurance policy covers include but not limited to;

Flight cancellations or delays

Flight delays and cancellations do occur due diverse factors. Such factors may be within the control of the airline like some technical issues, schedules changes to operational constrains. Other factors like civil unrest, weather changes among others and beyond airlines control and in such cases the liability of airlines is limited as well. If you are a frequent traveler you understand some of this issues, even the best airlines have flight disruptions. Some airlines do compensate for flight delays and cancellations, others do not. The compensation may be able to cover the extra expenses you may under go in such situations but in most cases it does not more especially if you have to cancel hotel bookings and pre-booked transport, these expenses are normally considered to be outside the conditions of carriage by some airlines, a travel insurance policy comes in handy when such inconveniences are not catered for, it may not cover all the cost but it sure lifts some of the burden off your shoulders.

Luggage delay, damage or loss
Luggage delays, sometimes it gets damaged or it can get lost. This is more likey to happen if you do not have direct flight. The risks are higher if your connections are many and with different airlines. Airlines have a guideline in regard to baggage irregularities that may occur during your travel, however they have limitations on how much the compensation can cover, other items if lost or damaged, like jewelry, electronics and other valuables may not be covered under the compensation program, in such cases a travel insurance comes in handy. It is also a common practice in some airlines not to compensate if your delayed luggage is delivered to you within 12-24 hours. Some activities like attending meeting and taking a shower if you are on vacation may not wait for your bag, you will end up spending extra cash to buy some clothes and toiletries

Medical cost, evacuation and treatment
Some times you may have a need for medical attention when travelling. A travel insurance policy is a good companion during such times. You may not be able to access reliable medical help depending on your destination. Some destinations are very remote with limited medical facilities and equipment. In some cases you may need to be airlifted to another country for medical care depending on the nature of your medical requirement, in such cases transportation may be very expensive as well as medical bills. Some travel policies include medical airlift a good plus that I always look for when getting a travel insurance cover.

A partner to call in case of an emergency in a foreign country
Travel emergencies not limited too medical can occur while travelling. This may include civil and political unrest or disease outbreaks.Travel emergencies can be stressful in a foreign county where no one speaks or understands your language. Most travel insurance policies have a hour hotline to help one cope with such kind of emergencies like medical care, evacuation and can act as a translator between you and the care givers. I highly recommend that you check and confirm that your insurance giver is reachable 24/7 in case you need them.

Tips

• When buying your travel insurance indicate the days you intend to have for your vacation. This will make your policy less costly.
• Find out what your travel insurance policy covers and what it does not cover.
• Check with your airline on what kind of compensation is given in case of flight disruptions, this will guide you in getting the best cover for your trip.

Traveling With Children? Here are Some Useful Recommended Travel Tips.

Traveling alone is enough hassle, traveling with children is something else, worse still if you have a long journey ahead of you. I am going to share with you a few travel tips to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable when travelling with children. No I am no a child expert, but I know a few travel tips that can help.

Laws and regulations
First and foremost before you embark on a trip with your children, find out laws and regulations in regard to traveling with children within your locality and your destination.Different governments have laws that protect and govern children movement within a locality or out of a region. These regulations vary from country to country as well as per age restriction. You may be required to have a letter of consent from your spouse if he or she is not traveling with you, or if you have a dispute in court in regards to your children custody. If you are travelling by air check with the airline the maximum number of children that can accompany an adult to avoid any inconvenience at the airport. Airlines always have these regulations in place to ensure the comfort of their customers on board.

Consult your Doctor
Consult your doctor or health caregiver on how best you can protect your child’s health when travelling. Children are highly susceptible to infectious diseases and knowing how to protect them in advance is highly recommend. You may want to organize for immunization six weeks before travel, it is also wise to research on health related issues in regard to your destination or transit points. The last thing you want is a sick child in your hands while travelling or on a vacation. No one wants to cut short their vacation because of a sick child.

Entertainment.
Children are not known to sit in one place for long, they easily get bored and can become irritable and restless. If you are travelling for long hours, it is your duty to keep your children occupied for your comfort and the comfort of other travelers. Here are a few item you may carry to keep your children entertained, if you are travelling by air, be sure to check with the airline if you can carry such items on board before packing.

• car seat (check with your airline for related policies) 
• stroller (check with your airline for related policies) 
• diapers (enough for the flight and a few extra) 
• wipes 
• changing pad 
• change of clothes 
• Feeding bottles (enough for flight plus 2-3 extra) 
• powdered formula (in pre measured container)
• snacks 
• bib 
• fork/spoon 
• medications 
• favorite soft toy 
• Reading books 
• movie player and movies 
• child-friendly headphones 

Pack smart.
It is highly recommended to avoid over packing when travelling with children. Travelling with a lot of bags with your children can make you a target for thieves or criminals in general; take only the essentials and if possible have someone travel with you to take care of your bags while you look after the children.

Consult with the airline while packing baby liquid stuff like food and aerosols, what you can carry and the quantity. Different airlines and airports have restriction on what you can carry and can make exceptions on some baby products.
Remember to pack well for appropriate weather to avoid heat rash and cold. Children are more happy outdoors because they like playing in open spaces, restraining them indoors because of weather may make them edgy and spoil your vacation.

Cultural norms and beliefs

Do your research when travelling with your children on the laws, regulations and cultural beliefs of your destination. In some countries corporal punishment is punishable by law this includes spanking , public breastfeeding can be normal in one society and shunned in another. To be on the safe side do your research well to avoid any confrontations or inconveniences. The last thing you want on your trip is to find yourself in court or on the wrong side of the locals, this can ruin your trip.

Travel insurance
Many of us avoid taking a travel insurance while travelling, it may not be a big issue if you are travelling alone within short destinations. However I highly recommend that you have a good, all inclusive travel insurance for yourself and your children if you are travelling abroad. The travel insurance should cover all medical care related issues, airlift if necessary, theft, flight disruption, baggage irregularities like damage, loss or delay. Your travel insurance should be able to cover any extra expenses related to the above among others. Ensure that your insurer is reachable 24/7 in case of emergencies. 

Accommodation
Book in advance for your accommodation to avoid the trouble of moving around trying to find a room for your family. Children get upset and tire very quickly. You would want to reduce the time of your arrival to the time you get them settled in for bathing, feeding and putting them to bed.

Safety
Keep your children safe while travelling. It will be wise to invest in a child locator if you can. You never know when this can come in handy. Children have a habit to wander aimlessly and can easily get lost in busy and crowded airports or train stations.
Ensure you have carried antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers. Kids like to play and come in contact with a lot of unhealthy surfaces while travelling. The wipes and sanitizers can also come in handy if you have to use toilet facilities where cleaning facilities are limited or when you have to change the baby.

Travel documents
Children’s travel documents expire more frequently as compared to adult documents. Remember to check well in advance before you embark on your trip to ensure you have all the travel documents in good time and that they are up to date. To be on the safe side keep your travel documents together in a safe place. Do not entrust travel documents with your children, children can be forgetful and the last thing you want is to arrive at the airport or train station without your documents or missing some of them.

Happy children travel

What Not to Carry in Your Check-In Luggage

We all love to travel and we would love to be home far away from home, as a result we carry everything we think we need for our trip. Consequently we have too much for carry on and the rest , well must be checked in. I always recommend that you carry only the essential. If it can fit in your hand luggage the better, if not then avoid carrying some items in your checked in luggage. 

I have highlighted below some of items among others you should avoid to check in at all times. Next time we will talk more on how to pack effectively.  

Valuables
Avoid carrying valuables of any kind in your checked baggage such as jewelry and money, especially since bags are subject to search at port of entry.

Electronics
Don't pack anything electronic in your check-in suitcases, such as laptops, PDAs, MP3 players, iPods, phones, cameras or film. These items are prone to damage by security screening equipment. Many airlines if not all do not compensate for these items when they get damaged. They have a caption of the same in their conditions of carriage.

Food and Drink
Do not put any food or drinks into your checked baggage. Food items can perish or spill on other items.

Flammable Items
Do not pack anything that can start a fire, such as firearms, explosives, flares or matches. Fireworks and dynamite are prohibited as well. Flammable liquids or substances should not be packed, such as lighter fluid, gas or aerosol, unless the aerosol is an ingredient in personal care items like hairspray.

Health Travel Tips

Travel health risks are a major concern for most travelers. The more you travel, the more you are exposed. While some of these risks are non life threatening e.g common cold, some like Ebola, Yellow fever and Zika virus among others are worthy to worry about and one should take necessary precautions.

One can be exposed to health risks through:

• mode of transport
• destination(s)
• duration and season of travel
• purpose of travel
• standards of accommodation, food hygiene and sanitation
• behavior of the traveler
• underlying health of the traveler.

Below are some health travel tips to ensure you enjoy your travel without worries.

Travel warnings from Governments.

Before you embark on your trip, research on any current health warnings and take them seriously. The fact that you visited a destination a weeks or month ago does not mean it is safe today.

World Health organization.(WHO)

The WHO website http://www.who.int/en/ is a wealth source of information when it comes to health travel. Unforeseen health disasters may occur posing new risks to travelers. The WHO website is regularly updated and should be your frequent travel companion.

Vaccination.

Some diseases requires you to have a vaccine for example yellow fever, do your research to establish if your destination is prone to such kind of health risks and take your vaccines accordingly. For the tropics you may need to consider Malaria preventive medication prior to your travel among other diseases.

Behavior.

Yes, your behavior may put you at risk. You should be cautious of the water and food you take to avoid contamination. Exposing yourself to mosquito bites and rodents creates a high health risk. The level of hygiene also extends to your accommodation.

Medical Centers

Do your research and know the nearest medical centers where you will be staying in case you need medical help.

Food and Drinks.

Always ask before you consume. Know the ingredients if you have food allergies, you do not want your vacation or business trip cut short because of some allergies from the food you consume.

Travel insurance.

Invest in a good travel insurance that will cover your medical needs in case you need it. Have the 24hr emergency contacts of your insurer within reach at all times.

See your doctor.

See your doctor before you travel for a health check up to capture any health problems that may cause you distress later on during our travel.

Healthy Travels Everyone!!!

Actions that may lead to being offloaded from a flight.

I have been in the airline industry for over ten years and I have seen and experienced as much. Some experiences good and exciting and others not as much. One of the experiences that happens frequently is when a customer is denied boarding or offloaded from a flight. You can imagine, this is not such a good experience. I would not want to be in this kind of a situation. Apart from the fact that I do not wan to miss my pre-planned activities and sometimes my pre-paid accommodation fee, it is an embarrassing experience to say the least.

Various factors may lead to you being offloaded from a flight, some of your own making and other situations beyond your control like overbooking by the airline or weather situations that may prevent your plane from taking off.  Am not going to talk about the latter situations because there is nothing much you can do about it. However, there are situation within your control that you can avoid to ensure you take your flight and enjoy your trip.

The following are a few actions that may lead to being offloaded from a flight.

Being abusive to either staff of fellow passengers
A passenger who is abusive is considered a security risk and unfit to travel by air.

Being drunk
A drunk passenger is equally considered dangerous and poses safety risks to a flight. Cut down on that booze and show up sober for your flight.

Smoking on a flight
You can equally be considered a terrorist; smoking is strictly prohibited on flights and in most airports. No one wants to start putting out a fire leave alone above 3000 feet above sea level.

Ignoring flight attendant instructions
It’s against the law to interfere with a flight attendant’s instructions, and even the most innocent comment could have you on the wrong side of the law. 

Being sick or unhealthy
If the staff thinks that you are too sick to travel, you will not be allowed on board a flight. No one wants to have a medical emergency on air. Some medical emergencies have had flights diverted to remotes places, neither the staff nor fellow passengers find this amusing.

Not checking in on time on time for your flight.

All airlines have a check in time limit, it could be 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights to 1 hour for international flights.They vary from airline to airline. To avoid being late for your flight, come earlier for check in or better still check in online.

Travel documents
Not having the correct or all required documents. This can range from Passport, air ticket. visa, letters of invitation or letters that permit you entry to your destination, travel insurance among others.

Enough funds
Some destinations require you to have a minimum amount of funds for entry and they may give airlines directives to ensure this is done before guest is brought to their territory. Airlines may incur fines if they fail to meet this requirement. Before you embark on your travel do your research well.

Do you know of some factors that can prevent you from taking your flight? Have you been denied boarding or offloaded from a flight before?

Email:       choseneve1@gmail.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Eva-Kem-Green-1635956363342946/
Twitter:     https://twitter.com/EvaKem1

About Eva Kem Green

My name is Evaline Nyambati author of Eva Kem Green. I have a degree in Tourism Management and over 10 years experience in the Airline industry. I love to travel, photos intrigue me and good Photography blows my mind away. I am a nature lover and I believe we need to protect our environment to keep our travel Destinations intact or better than we found them when we last visited.

I started Eva Kem Green on twitter https://twitter.com/EvaKem1 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Eva-Kem-Green-1635956363342946/ in the year 2015. In my ten years in the airline industry, I have realized that we take a lot of things for granted (for those of us who work in the industry and for most frequent travelers). Travelling for us is not such a hassle after all we are used to it. We know what we require, the do’s and don'ts at least most of them if not all. Unfortunately it is not so with the less traveled traveler and much worse for the first timers.

Eva Kem Green is designed to share Travel Tips that I have learnt over the years to make your travel more comfortable and enjoyable. I will also share my travel experience as well as those of my friends. Above all, I want you to enjoy and have fun through my blog posts. You are welcome to share your travel experiences as well as Travel Tips.

Let us Have Fun!!!