Joy's Bucket List Travels

01/04/2023

Singapore Digitalize Arrival Card

Do you recall the days when you are given arrival cards to fill in while on the plane before landing in certain countries?

Singapore now has a digital arrival card. You’ll be provided with assistance on arrival in filling these online on available tablets.

Alternatively, you can download this app and fill it in before arriving into Singapore.

MyICA Mobile
https://www.ica.gov.sg/public-education/myica-mobile

On scanning your passport, most of your profile info will be filled in automatically.

Good Luck!

On 26 April 2022, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) launched a new mobile application, MyICA Mobile, to provide a one-stop platform for everyone to transact with ICA anytime, anywhere. The official MyICA Mobile can be downloaded for free from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (An...

12/23/2022

Arrival into Changi Airport:

The most amazing, efficient, fast, friendliest, non daunting, welcoming experience we’ve ever had. They treat you like human beings, polite, ever helpful and always smiling.

Singapore immigration & customs - I truly salute you!

We’ve been all over the world and I cannot say enough good things about our experience in coming into Singapore.

Well done Singapore!!

12/18/2022

Joy Flannigan
Houston to Doha

Qatar Airways Airbus A320 (leg 1)
- excellent service
- great food and it kept coming
- tight seating space, especially if person in front sleeps early.
- narrow aisles
- ground staff very very slow. We waited almost 1hr in line just to do a bag drop with only a few people ahead of us. They seemed very flustered and were not systematic unsure which hand luggage’s they had weighed. One of our hand luggage weighted slightly over because I had my laptop bag inside due to my broken arm in a sling. We were about to take it out when we were given our passes and ushered away. 🤷🏽‍♀️

TSA Pre-check
- this time round was absolutely rubbish.
- yelling to take shoes off, remove laptops and all electronics (these were not requirements when going through the fast track) A few managed to walk through with shoes 🤷🏽‍♀️
- I had a broken arm in a sling with plates and screws in my arm. They refused to let me through the tsa pre check while my bags and handbag had already gone through the scanner. I was escorted off and they did a full body pat down and sling wanded and a drug test - really and if my sons were not there to pick up my stuff - what could have happened to my things on the other end.

Al-Maha Services Lounge Doha Airport
- found on the departure lounge
- access can be purchased otherwise one of the cards we used was the Priority Pass
- very central between departure gates and duty free shopping.
- Good buffet selection, hot and cold choices. Wines and soft drinks available.
- good service.
- extremely clean and decent size restrooms and great showers.
- quiet area for sleeping
- crowded

Next post I’ll remember to add photos.

12/16/2022

Come fly with me, Joy Flannigan

A near miss but all has lined up for our long awaited family trip to Singapore & Malaysia flying Qatar Airways with one broken arm!

Tips:
AIRTAGS - get these and place it in your luggage, handbag, wallet, and passports! You’ll not regret this!

Watch this space for more flying tips and travel photos & videos!

05/28/2022

01/08/2022

On your bucket list?

01/07/2022

Since moving to Texas, one of our travel bucket lists was to experience the Canadian Rockies by the glass dome train. Now, I'm proud to say I'm a Rocky Mountaineer Specialist! Woot woot!
Let me know if it's on your bucket list too! Here to help make it happen!
Joy Flannigan

11/09/2021

someone is happy with my travel assistance 🙂 A very successful Sicilian itinerary organized by yours truly 💪🏽😇 check out that cheeky gift 😂😂
Next …

11/02/2021

We sure are getting around the US (blue highlighted states). Our latest 9 day road trip to DC covered some new ground adding 3 more states.
Why not do some road tripping around the US - fuel is cheap, roads are great, accommodation is plenty and so much to see.
Get adventurous!

10/10/2021

Christmas is just around the corner yet again ... ever wanted to visit Europe's Christmas Markets? Now you can do it via a River Cruise.
Specials:
AmaWaterways are honoring all FRONTLINER HEROS with a COMPLIMENTARY cruise.

Contact me to find out how.

Joy Flannigan

Want to feel the holiday magic of the Provençal Christmas celebrations?

The cities of Provence transform every December as they set up markets, hang lights, and prepare delicious regional specialties in preparation for the Christmas season, called Calendale.

Learn about rich Christmas traditions along the Rhône River on our new Colors of Provence Christmas itinerary. https://www.amawaterways.com/connections/christmas-traditions-in-provence

10/02/2021

Look what just arrived! It’s time to travel again … let BLT make this become a reality!

09/30/2021

Travel Hack #2
Be your own tour guide by downloading and using this app.
Android: Google Goggles
iPhone: Google
Take some photos with the app as you explore and your phone will give you interesting information about that site. 😎

09/30/2021

Only 2 days left to book this deal! Also flying from Houston from $399. BLT at your service ...

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09/30/2021

Ready for Christmas? Ready to travel again? BLT is here for you!

Book a premium 1 week Germany guided tour. Visit Berlin, Dresden & Munich. Discover Nuremberg Market, Local Expert Tour of Dresden, Leipzig Market.

09/15/2021

Alas, good news for my Aussie friends… get ‘em passports ready!
I can still book your land vacations 😉

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/all-the-international-destinations-qantas-is-flying-to-in-december/news-story/6f0ee5e2aed005faf93b2bdf2db4f6cf

Joy Flannigan

Are you sitting down? Because it looks like it may actually be happening … Qantas has announced departure dates for a selection of international destinations in December.

09/09/2021

Travel Hack #1
You know how you can't take water bottles beyond the security line at airports? Well take an empty water bottle, and fill it up when you get in. 😁
Does anyone do this?

09/08/2021

This is definitely on my Bucket List. There are loads of different deals available including the famous European Christmas Markets. Most of the line's 23 ships sail Europe's Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Saone, Seine, Douro, Moselle and Main rivers. The line also sails the Mekong in Southeast Asia on its own ship and offers a program of cruise/safari trips on the Zambezi River in Africa on a charter vessel. Now you can also sail the longest river in the world, the River Nile into Egypt.
All of these itineraries include land tours, critically acclaimed fine dining and entertainment. For more details check out my co-branded website:
https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/joysbucketlisttravels/
Joy Flannigan

09/08/2021

Those who know me, know I love my food and my cooking. So I decided to use this page to share with you some of my favorite travel recipes. Ones I use particularly on road trips so we don’t have to keep stopping to get food, or ones we take on picnics so we can enjoy the outdoors or ones for energy when we go on hikes.
My lovely neighbor Laura Laine , had brought over, what she called, Mint Chocolate Truffles … yum! I got the mint and the chocolate, but I couldn’t tell what was making it all fudgy and why she called it nutritional. Now, I’ve got your attention right .. healthy chocolate – who doesn’t want that!?
She kindly provided me with the recipe and OMG it was dates – the secret ingredient.

Did you know:
Dates help lower cholesterol? Who would have thought it was protein rich too and full of vitamins, it strengthens the nervous system and improves bone health. It’s rich in iron, improves skin and promotes digestion. Now if you had a big night out, make sure you have a couple of dates handy the next morning because it fixes hangovers. Who wants to try this hangover cure - let me know if it works??

So check out my attached recipe:

Joy Flannigan

09/07/2021

Save up to 61% at Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun by Karisma, a beachfront, Gourmet Inclusive® suite resort where you will be pampered with gourmet services and amenities such as beach butlers, concierge, turndown service, 24-hour room service, premium beverages and outstanding gourmet cuisine. Foster even closer relationships with your family, partner or friends by using your $600 resort credit for a special dinner, bottle of wine, spa/beauty treatment or room upgrade! Don't forget - fly on Vacation Express' exclusive, non-stop flights for even more stress-free savings! https://bit.ly/38Cl2hL

08/22/2021

To my younger travel audience, my sons included:
College Students, it’s time to save for the holiday of your lifetime. Coming up… Thanksgiving Break, Winter Holidays (Summer Holidays for my young friends from Down Under and the land of the Long White Cloud), Spring Break 2022 or Summer Holidays 2022.
Whilst Young Adults, you have the option to travel during the off peak period.

Contiki Tours

Ages: 18 to 35 only!

They bring together travellers from all corners of the globe to discover new cultures and a little part of themselves along the way. Across 350+ global trips they’ll sort out the stressful stuff like transport and accommodation, leaving you with unique travel experiences you wouldn’t be able to book on your own. Throughout your trip their expert Trip Managers and Local Guides use their local insights to help you discover an authentic side to the places you visit.

So where do you want to go:
• Europe
• Asia
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Africa & the Middle East
• Latin America
• USA & Canada.

What type of tour would you like:
• Discoverer – see it all, do it all
• In-depth Explorer – go local
• Iconic Essentials – freedom to explore
• Sailing & Cruise
• Short Trips & Festivals
• Ski & Snowboard
• US National Parks
• Island Hopping
• Small Groups

Any unique experiences you are looking for:
• Food
• Culture
• Local
• Wellness & Active
• Ethical Travel

Contiki has a wide range of itineraries to cover all these bases.
Right now, all the best with school & college, work hard and reward yourselves. Message me when you are ready to make your travel dreams come alive.

https://youtu.be/-yFpuQSwZGo

We’ve been busy putting hygiene protocols in place to ensure our travelers safety is our number one priority and to put your mind at ease when you travel wit...

08/15/2021

There's a new Hawaiian Destination Specialist in town ....

08/12/2021

Check out the World's Best Places to Visit - how many have you visited? Which ones are on your bucket list?

We rank the 30 World's Best Places to Visit. See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites.

08/10/2021

CRUISING is back in the US. My Aussie friends, I believe Carnival cruises are suspended until mid-December.
Each month from July until October, more cruise liners are returning to service.
Contact me for more details.

08/10/2021