Aquaphor for Chapped Lips and Dry Skin On-the-Go

I first discovered the healing wonders of Aquaphor during a period when I was prescribed that severe acne drug Accutane. One of the side effects of Accutane is extremely dry and chapped lips. Most of us would think of applying a generous layer of Chapstick. But even applying this product regularly did nothing to stop the irritation of dry lips. But my doctor recommended Aquaphor Healing Ointment and I have been using it ever since long after my treatment with Accutane was complete.

From cold wet days in London to freezing snowy weather in Seattle to the dry heat of Las Vegas, I use Aquaphor as a regular therapy either in the morning or at night when I'm traveling. I found that lips irritated by spicy foods were healed with the use of this product as well. Look for the .35 ounce "healing ointment" travel-friendly size. It should be noted that Aquaphor is "petroleum-jelly" like-feeling compared to Chapstick so only a very tiny amount of the ointment goes a long way.

I have nothing against Chapstick which I still use just as often when I'm not traveling. Also Chapstick has one advantage over Aquaphor and that is cost. For example Walmart.com sells Chapstick singles from 98 cents to $1.80 noting that in-store prices will vary. A Chapstick three-pack is $5-$5.76. Walmart.com sells the two-pack Aquaphor Healing Ointment of .35 oz tubes for $5.27 (a better bargain than the Aquaphor Lip Therapy .35 oz single-pack for $3.97).

For more information visit aquaphorhealing.com.  Aquaphor can be found in most drugstores in the skincare aisle. Aquaphor is part of Eucerin's line of skincare products.

The 25 Most Photographed Cities & Their Landmarks

Empire State Building
(all images from budgettravel.com; credit: Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia Commons)

It was interesting to find out what researchers at Cornell found after analyzing over 35 million Flickr photos. Below is a ranking of the most photographed cities and the most photographed landmark within that city. Most of the usual suspects are here but some are rather surprising. Links to each attraction is included in the ranking below.

Visit budgettravel.com for the full article. Tips are also featured from their photo editors for "breaking the mold" from the standard shots of each landmark. For example for number one ranked New York City, article reports that standard shot of the Empire State Building is a view from the street below. The tip: Broaden your perspective. By photographing an expected sight from an unexpected place can add a lot to your photo. Head 16 blocks north and up 70 floors to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck in Rockefeller Center, where you'll get the best view of the Empire State Building -- along with a 360-degree panorama view of the city.

1) New York City, New York, USA (Empire State Building)
2) London, England (Trafalgar Square)
3) San Francisco, California, USA (Union Square)
4) Paris, France (Eiffel Tower)
5) Los Angeles, California, USA (Hollywood Walk of Fame)

Cloud Gate Sculpture (credit: Kramer/flickr)

6) Chicago, Illinois, USA (Cloud Gate Sculpture)
7) Washington, DC, USA (Lincoln Memorial)
8) Seattle, Washington, USA (Space Needle)
9) Rome, Italy (Colosseum)
10) Amsterdam, Netherlands (Dam Square)

Fenway Park (image: Jerry Driend/Getty)

11) Boston, Massachusetts (Fenway Park)
12) Barcelona, Spain (Sagrada Familia)
13) San Diego, California, USA (Balboa Park)
14) Berlin, Germany (Brandenburg Gate)
15) Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (Paris Las Vegas Hotel)

Duomo (image: Alycia Rockey)

16) Florence, Italy (Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
17) Toronto, Ontario, Canada (CN Tower)
18) Milan, Italy (Duomo di Milano)
19) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Granville Island)
20) Madrid, Spain (Plaza Mayor)

Piazza San Marco (image: turinboy/flickr)

21) Venice, Italy (Piazza San Marco)
22) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (Independence Hall)
23) Austin, Texas, USA (Capitol Building)
24) Dublin, Ireland (O'Connell Street and The Spire of Dublin)
25) Portland, Oregon, USA (Pioneer Courthouse Square)

Pioneer Courthouse Square (image: Cacophony/Wikimedia Commons)

Have Pen, Will Travel

There has to be something to be said about traveling with at least one ball-point pen. If traveling abroad and back to the U.S.A. especially to Hawaii, always carry a pen with you. In all these instances there is a document that needs to be completed upon arrival. American Airlines flight attendants now distribute the forms during flight. These include Landing Cards, which the Hopeful Traveler completed prior to landing in London; customs declarations for all those entering the U.S.; and agriculture declaration forms for all entering the state of Hawaii. It always happens as several passengers scramble for a pen from flight attendants or other passengers. By the way, never fly with Sanford Uni-Ball Rollerball Pens. After a couple of flight segments at high altitudes, these pens start to leak their ink. It's happen more than once to the T.H.T. A regular stick pen, such as those manufactured by Bic, will do. As a matter a practice, I keep the pen easily accessible in a carry-on bag pocket.

If you make an error on your Landing Card, additional forms are available at Passport Control after landing. The form is completed in capital letters. As much as you may be proud of your ethnic heritage, remember that if you are a citizen of the U.S. you're nationality is 'American'. If you do not have the address of your hotel, just print the exact name of the hotel.

Free Your Mind - Quick Tips for Relaxing in Flight

One of the most difficult challenges of flying is getting that elusive amount of needed rest. Not everybody can get any real good sleep on a plane especially on a crowded cramped aircraft but hopefully these suggestions will help.

Before Your Flight -
Shake those feelings of anxiety. Honestly, if the prospect of flying is a stressful event, then get a doctor's advice. On the other hand it's a matter of letting your mind be free. Take care of any work issues well in advance of your last day of work. Don't be scrambling at the last minute. Like packing at the last moment, you'll feel that time is short and something forgotten or incomplete.

Also constantly review your travel plans and packing. Cluttered minds leave things behind and undone. It's amazing what you think about one day that you didn't the day before. The Hopeful Traveler finds himself writing in a pocket notepad and sending himself emails to home from work just to remind himself of something he may have forgotten.

Most travelers believe the vacation begins once you reach your destination. But the Hopeful Traveler believes it begins from the moment you leave home. Those moments at the airport checking-in, going through security and waiting for your flight can affect how you enjoy the next leg of your journey. So plan on being at the airport ontime to avoid rushing or the prospect of long lines.

On Board -
The clothing you wear should be comfortable but appropriate for the duration of the flight and arrival at your destination. Dress in layers to keep warm considering airlines have cut back on blankets for passengers. Use slip-on shoes that you can remove inflight and clean socks to keep your feet warm.

Many already do this but being ready at the call of your group number or row will help you secure the overhead bin to get the most leg room possible.

Some passengers bring their own sleeping mask, pillow or blanket and that's fine. Whatever you need to make you feel more comfortable provided the items are easily accessible and stowed. Many of these items and more can be found at magellans.com (see Quick Links). The Hopeful Traveler cannot fly without an iPod. A battery pack and portable charger/dock helps viewing videos for long-haul flights. If you can afford it, noise-cancelling headphones can help you enjoy your media device or in-inflight movie/music. Bring a book or several magazines. If you can't sleep don't just sit there doing nothing. You'll feel a sense of restlessness as you constantly check your watch.

Set your watch to destination time as soon as you board the plane. Always think of the time of where you are going and not of the time at home. To avoid that rush for restrooms before landing, plan on preparing for landing ahead of the in-flight announcement by setting a watch alarm. This will offer you the opportunity to stretch your legs and get yourself fully awake.

If you can sleep on the plane through the entire flight, fasten you seat belt so the flight attendants can see it is secured so you are not awaken if the pilot turns on the seatbelt sign.

Always drink plenty of water because the humidity in the cabin is extememly low. Stay away from alcohol and caffeine which can dehydrate you and interfere with sleep.

If you're traveling first class, then you got it made. But remember the alcohol flows often and free so just say 'no'.

Quick Tip - Using a Credit Card Abroad

If traveling abroad and using a credit card, always call your credit card company. Inform them where and when you will be traveling. Credit card companies are monitoring your credit card use. They have systems in place to flag your card for any unusual purchases for your protection.

For example, you live in Hawaii and you're in the Orient for a vacation and decide to do most of your shopping for gifts at one shop. You charge it on your VISA. The next day, you pay for lunch with the same card. The waiter returns and informs you that your card is not valid. You call the credit card company and realize they have placed your card on hold because of the unusual large amount charged outside of your country of residency. Once you inform them you are abroad, the card company will release the hold.

However the credit card company should be contacting you first before placing your card on hold. They will verify two things. First, that the card is in your possession. Second, that you authorized the transactions. If you have not contacted your card company first and you are already abroad, the card company has no idea where you are and therefore no way to contact you. They have no choice but to place the card on hold to prevent any fraudulent charges.

You probably never noticed, but If you look on the back of your credit card there should be a long-distance number to call when traveling abroad since the toll-free number can only be used while in the U.S. Believe it or not, you can call the card company collect when having problems with your card abroad. The card company should accept your call. The Hopeful Traveler speaks from experience.

Some card companies are already on the lookout before you leave home and not just for foreign charges. Before leaving Hawaii, The Hopeful Traveler once charged several different attractions with a company in New York City. The card company called me soon afterwards to verify the charges are valid.

One last thing. Be sure your credit card has your signature. Though credit card companies don't authorize this, some suggest that you write "ask for identification" in lieu of a signature. This flags the merchant to verify it is you making the charges and helps if you lose the card. This may give you some trouble if the merchant does not speak or read English well.

There will still be instances where you cannot help those merchants that just swipe the card without verifying the signature or identifcation of the patron. Of course, you may be the few who have a card with your photograph. This definitely helps in avoiding fraudulent charges.

Quick Tip - Foreign Coins

If you have any foreign coins at the tail end of your trip, use them all first. Financial institutions will not accept foreign coins for exchange. The suggestion is to spend the coins at the shops at the airport from where you are scheduled to depart. Use them to buy snacks, postcards or a last minute souvenir or gift.

Some people keep one of each coin as a souvenir. But don't count on planning to use them on your next trip. Countries like the United Kingdom updates their foreign currency in interims.

Plastic in the Air

Plastic will be invading the airline cabin. Plan on having at least one credit card accessible during your flight. Technology has made it easier for more airlines to accept credit and debit cards to pay for inflight services such as drinks and meals.

These airlines are currently cashless: Frontier Airlines, AirTran Airways, Allegiant Air (all three do not service the Hawaii market) and Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines stopped accepting cash on its trans-Pacific flights two years ago and in January 2007 expanded the policy to its interisland flights.

So far none of the nation's big airlines have gone cashless but they are likely considering it. American Airlines has tested a program of accepting credit/debit cards on select flights. Delta is testing the cashless system as well and is expected to roll it out companywide over the next year.

Like some savvy restaurants or retail stores, battery-operated handheld devices for card processing will allow flight attendants to swipe your card, obtain your credit information, make the charge and return your card in about the same time it takes to make change.

It all works to everyone's advantage. Passengers are able to conserve cash, especially when traveling to their vacation destination, and still able to buy things on board. Flight attendants will no longer have the hassles of getting change, extra paperwork and general money handling.

For airlines, the system will cut down on theft. But the bigggest benefit for airlines is probably an increase in revenue since there is an attractive ease to using a credit card for passengers to say, buy a drink or two. Can someone say "in-flight breathalyzer"?

Just Passing By

When considering a one-day tour, an escorted tour or even a cruise itinerary, read the language carefully. The words "to see," "to view," or "to admire" are not the same as "to explore" or "to visit". For example, a description for a tour of Washington, D.C. may include "to see the Lincoln Memorial." This probably means that the route of the tour bus will pass by or briefly stop in front of the momument. It does not mean you actually have the opportunity to visit the memorial itself. Check the itinerary very carefully that the attractions your heart is hoping to visit is truly that, a visit and not a drive by.

Quick Tipping Guide

Here's a cheat sheet for the traveler on tipping. First rule of thumb: Never leave home without a pocket full of dollars. Then the following amounts should do for tipping:

- Hotel doorman $1-$2 to hail taxi or help with bags
- Hotel bellman $1-$2 per bag
- Hotel concierge $5 for making a prime dinner reservation; $10-$20 for more complex requests
- Hotel maid $2-$5 each night
- Parking valet $1-$2 when retreiving car; nothing when arriving
- Cruise ship steward or waiter $3-$5 per person, per day (varies, follow guidelines provided by the specific ship)
- Restaurant waiter 15%-20%
- Taxi driver 15%-20%, rounded to the nearest dollar
- Bartender $1 per drink or $2 for high-end establishments
- Coach tour guide and driver $2-$5 per day for each
- Skycap $2 per bag
- Airport Shuttle Driver $1-$3 per bag and/or 15% (if no bags)

More info highlighting some of these specific tips will be posted in the future.

Weather Look-Up

Look for the Weather Look-Up Links on the right. You can look up the weather for any city in the world. Courtesy of AccuWeather.com, one Look-Up is for U.S. cities and the other is for international cities. For best results, enter a city name for either Look-Up. This should help you plan for the likely immediate weather at your destination for such things as clothing choices. In case anyone is going to the south pole for the summer, you can look up the temperature there too (just enter "south pole" under International Weather Look-Up). By the way, if you enter "north pole" you'll be surprised where it takes you. NOTE: International temperature reading default is Metric (Celsius); Click on 'English' on the accuweather web page for Farenheit readings.

Also added to this page is the current weather and time in New York City, Las Vegas and Honolulu. The weather information for each city is updated every 30 minutes. Return to this blog throughout the day and you can read how the weather changes especially in Las Vegas where the temperature may vary by as much as twenty degrees. The little weather icon also changes to match the current weather conditions. One neat feature is the RealFeel temperature (what the temperature actually feels liks, factoring in variables such as humidity, vs the temperature reading). By the way, click on any of the three city weather readings for detailed weather conditions.

Exchange Rates Up to Date

Ever wonder what a dollar is worth in London? Trying to figure how much you'll save by visiting Toronto? The problem is all the prices you find are in British Pounds or Canadian dollars. Try using an exchange rate calculator. I've been using an online one to let me know just how much LESS my dollar is going for in London. The website is x-rates.com. For your convenience, check out the Quick Links column on the right and click on CURRENCY CALCULATOR.

Quick Tip

No matter where you're going, it's always important to always pack these two very basic items:

1) Your sense of humor.

2) Common sense.

Problems and mishaps arise but dealing with them in a sensible manner will only help you make the most out of any situation.