#118 Travel Tips; Use Public Transport

So on my recent trip to Manila, Philippines I found myself stressed out and worried. Why? Because of transport. I had read that public transport in Manila is basically a no-go, and that it is better for tourists to use taxis (which are very cheap) and factor in lots of time going places due the crazy traffic.

So I was aware and prepared for this. However, after just one day I had established that despite the taxi’s being cheap, I was either being ripped off by them not using the meter, or I was being taken wherever the driver wanted when the meter was being used. Also in the evening it was difficult to get a taxi, and I had to stand alone on the side of the street and pray I wouldn’t be attacked while I waited, and also pray that whenever a taxi showed up that the taxi driver wouldn’t rip me off too much. 

As a lone traveler, the overpriced taxi fares started to add up to not actually that cheap anymore. Since they all speak English, I also hated making small talk with them. By the time my last day came around, I was too worried about arguing fares, having to wait for a taxi home, and making more dreaded small talk that I just stayed in the hostel all day.

But now I have learned something. I have learned that while travelling alone, I would actually prefer to use public transport, where the prices are fixed and I don’t have to argue about fares or deal with people or worry about where I might end up. If I get lost I can look at a map and try figure it out, or I can ask someone at the station. My safety could still be at risk, especially regarding pickpocketing etc, but I would be vigilant. It requires more planning on my part, but I am in control of the situation.

This is one of the factors why I will not be going to Siem Reap in Cambodia – I don’t think I could handle being ripped off or arguing with a driver all day, or constantly worrying about my safety. Some people can handle it, but not me. It’s neither relaxing not enjoyable and given the choice, I would rather not do it again. In a group this would be different, but alone I just can’t handle the stress. So from now on I will check the availability of public transport in an area before travelling.

#117 Kakegawa Bird and Flower Park

This is a popular attraction in Kakegawa, a stop on the Shinkansen in Shizuoka Prefecture, about an hour and a half south of Tokyo. There is also a small castle here, but overall, if you're not already in the area, don't bother stopping especially for this.



The entrance fee for the park for adults is 1,080 yen. It is then 100yen per food serving to feed the birds, so that’s probably another 500 yen. It’s then 500yen to get a photo with a penguin, or 300yen for a small owl. There is a footbath with fish which costs 300yen, and also a one hour buffet lunch for 1000yen. They do have free bird shows about twice daily.

Overall, the park is quite small. You see pictures and assume it’s much larger, but in reality there are only about 5 bird enclosures. For the price, which probably ends up around 2,000 yen for most people, I think it’s too much.

There is not so much information in English, apart from the bird names. They have notices that you must pay 100yen for bird food, but they don’t bother to translate safety notices like ‘These birds like to bite’ which I find typical of Japanese thinking of “Make sure the foreigners pay and don’t break the rules, but if they want helpful information they should learn Japanese or get out of the country.” (Maybe it’s a little unfair, but I have seen enough notices, or lack-of notices, that this mentality just can’t be ignored.)

For the flower aspect, there’s not really that much going on. There’s an indoor greenhouse where the buffet is served and there are many flowers hanging from the ceiling, and a large lilly pond, but that’s basically it. Comparing with something like the Garden Park or Flower Park in nearby Hamamatsu it doesn’t level up at all.

Yes it’s fun to get a photo with a penguin, have a toucan sit on your shoulder and an emu chase you around a field, but that’s all the highlights. You could be in and out in an hour if you wanted. While I enjoyed myself, I couldn’t help but think the price was too high and the park too small. This is in comparison with a zoo, the average price of a zoo in Japan is probably about 500yen and it would be much bigger with a larger variety of animals, although admittedly you’re not likely to get a photo with a lion.

Overall I would give it 3 out of 5. It’s fun and interesting, but you would get better value visiting Hamamatsu Zoo and adjacent Flower Park. The zoo is 400yen, and the flower park varies by season but can be free, 500yen with a 500yen shopping voucher, or up to about 1,000 yen．

If you’re only in Japan a short time I would skip it entirely, there are far better animal focused places to visit like Ueno Zoo in Tokyo and see Giant Panda’s for only 600yen, or take a trip to Nagano and see the famous snow monkeys relaxing in the hot springs.

#116 Do NOT use Airtickets24

Airtickets24 made a mistake and misspelled a name from the information I gave them, and a spelling error in a name is probably the worst thing that could happen regards flying.

They are difficult to get hold of, and when they eventually emailed back they said the airline does not allow any name changes, but they put a note on the booking saying it was a mistake and she should be able to fly (but it's not guaranteed).

I have no proof they misspelled it, the only thing is I'm 95% sure I wouldn't misspell my own mothers name, and also in the booking info it says it correctly, it's only on the airline boarding passes that it is spelled wrong. I doubt there is much point in trying to argue or get them to own up and take responsibility, so I am just praying it will work out and am vowing never to use them again, and to discourage anyone else.

I was a little apprehensive about using them in the first place, but they were the only website offering cheap tickets. I found them using the Skyscanner website.

The mistake is from Barbara to Barbra. It's literally one letter, but I know that airlines are very strict on names exactly matching the passport, and I am worried she will not be allowed enter Japan.

Her flight is in May so I will update then and let you know if she is in fact allowed fly.

Update: She was allowed fly both to and from Japan. Because the mistake was small they allowed it, but it was a nerve racking experience wondering whether she would be allowed on the next flight or not. At check in she was only allowed her boarding pass for the first flight, and had to get the boarding pass for her next flight at the discretion of the airline staff at that airport. There was also problems with online check in and seat picking, and of the three reservation numbers I had only some of them worked, and it was a bit messy in general. And my final problem was that they only said "you have free baggage" but they could not tell us how much it was - we were unsure if it was one or two pieces since she was flying different airlines each time.
Thankfully it all worked out in the end, but I would still urge everyone to stay away from Airtickets24.