Free Can Be Very Costly

You are at the gate, an hour before you flight. You zipped through security because you have Global entry; sailing through TSAPreCheck. You’re feeling good, you found a nice computer spot, you take out your iPad, computer, phone and connect to the free airport Wi-Fi and that’s where it all ends.

In a recent study (January-May 2018), Coronet a cloud security company, ranked 45 of the busiest US airports and found San Diego to be the absolute worst for cyber threats. Free Wi-Fi at airports may seem like a public service, in reality, they serve hackers. “The main reason airports are problematic is because most people are taking convenience over security,” said Dror Liwer, chief security officer and co-founder of Coronet.

These networks are usually unencrypted, insecure or improperly configured according to the study. Its’ not just your own device that is at risk, but your company’s entire digital infrastructure that's at risk, every time you login to a Wi-Fi that is unencrypted, unsecured or improperly configured and send emails or share data with a co-worker.

“Hacking, which includes phishing, ransomware, malware and skimming, is the most common type of data breach and accounts for 60 percent of attacks, according to a 2017 study by the Identity Theft Resource Center. These attacks can lead to identity theft, which along with debt collection, imposter scams and other kinds of fraud, cost consumers $905 million in total losses in 2017, according to the Federal Trade Commission.” reports Carmen Reinicke of CNBC.

Here are the 3 major risks you take when you log onto public Wi-Fi

Your Device: When you click on "accept terms and conditions", you may unknowingly be installing malware on your device. The website looked legit, but it wasn’t.

Credentials: You can be a target for a Wi-Fi phishing scheme. The website looks just like the site you think is legit, just like your email sign in page. But it’s not and as you sign in, you are giving your login info to the hacker.

Data: Now you can infect your entire company. If data is sent to and from coworkers, through the hacker’s device, then they have all that info. You’ve handed it all over to them on a silver platter, so to speak.

Here’s the list of the 10 worst airports. Just because your airport is not on the list, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. It just means the hackers haven’t gotten to it yet.

These are the top 10 worst airports for cybersecurity. 10 being the absolute worst.

* Source: Coronet

1. San Diego International Airport 10

2. John Wayne Airport- Orange County Airport 8.7

3. Hobby Airport Houston TX 7.5

4. Southwest Florida International Airport Fort Myers 7.1

5. Newark Liberty International Airport 7.1

6. Dallas Love Field 6.8

7. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 6.5

8. Charlotte Douglas International Airport 6.4

9. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport 6.4

10. Logan International Airport Boston 6.4

You are much safer signing into secured network. It may not be as convenient, but it sure will save you in the end. I use my T-Mobile Hot Spot when I’m traveling. I never sign into unsecured networks and neither should you.

---

Call me, let's talk! 415 931-1945.
Prefer to email? info@WeMakeTravelEasy.com

Does this Sweeten the Deal?

Can you match the dessert to the description?

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

India is known for its out-of-this-world culinary delights, which often incorporate a variety of exotic spices, herbs, and other distinct flavors. Along with main dishes, traditional Indian desserts provide a tantalizing experience for your taste buds, and here are 5 favorite sweet treats for you to try the next time you visit India. Could that be in January with me?

1. Gulab Jamun

If lightly-fried, sweet dough balls covered in syrup sound like your cup of tea, you will definitely want to try Gulab Jamun. Different from other sweet fried dough pastries like donuts, this dessert incorporates powdered milk into its base and is topped with a rose water flavored syrup, which gives the dish its name (“Gulab” translates to flower water).

2. Jalebi

Jalebi is similar to western fair favorite funnel cakes, in that it's made by pouring a flour batter in a circular motion into boiling oil or butter. This popular street food is soaked in lime and saffron syrup after it’s fried, providing a distinctive, and delicious, crunch in the final product.

3. Modak

Modak is a dessert dumpling that is almost too cute to eat. Said to be a favorite delicacy of the Hindu god Ganesha, this dessert dumpling comes in both fried and steamed versions and can be filled with Jaggery and coconut shavings. Jaggery is a sweet substance and can be described as somewhere between spicy molasses and buttery caramel. We bet you can’t eat just one!

4. Pazham Pori

If you want to feel a little less guilty over your dessert indulgence in India, try Pazham Pori, scrumptious plantain fritters that are traditionally served alongside evening tea or coffee. Even if this sweet treat features a batter made from flour and sugar and is deep fried to a crisp, you’ll still be getting the fresh, nutritious taste of the plantain as well.

5. Kaju Katli

This Indian dessert is often served at the Hindu Festival of Lights, or Diwali, and derives from cashew nuts. After being ground into powder, cashews are combined with sugar and water, boiled down to a paste, and then formed into a thick nut-based dough. This dough is then rolled out and cut into diamond shapes before being dried. The finished result is similar to a cookie and often features powdered sugar on top.

Whether you’re looking for something covered in chocolate, fried to a crisp, or designed for the gods, you can find it all during your travels to India.

We'll be sure to try one or all of these dessert specialties when we are there.

Come with us to experience all kinds of culinary delights.

January 9-24, 2019

Click here for more details

Better than Cuba

The first week in June I was signed up for 3 travel conferences, back to back in Boca Raton, FL. So, when I received an invitation to a FAM trip (travel agent familiarization trip) to Panama, following my conferences, I couldn’t resist.

Panama has been on my list. I’m fascinated by major feats of technology. I loved the Delta Project in The Netherlands, I went to China to see the Yangtze River before it was flooded by the Three Gorges hydroelectric gravity dam project. This was my chance to see the Panama Canal and to experience a country that I have been hearing wonderful reports about.

I found the Canal fascinating. The museum is 4 stories. I could have spent hours watching the ships go through the locks. Unfortunately, we only had a short time there; too much on our whirlwind list of sights to see.

What I didn’t expect was how much like Cuba, it is, in many ways. Panama lies south of Cuba and is wedged between Costa Rica and Columbia. Being the narrowest piece of land between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, it was the main stage for the Pirates of the Caribbean (1600’s). Spain was sending gold back to the motherland and the pirates wanted every doubloon they could get their hands on. Throw in some slave trade and there was money galore.

I landed at a very modern and much larger airport than expected. Driving into Panama City, the skyline was very reminiscent of Dubai. One building looked like the Burj Al Arab. Another, the twisted building (as the Panamanians affectionately call it) reminds one of Dubai’s Cayan Tower. Obviously, nothing like Cuba whose growth was stinted in 1959.

But then you arrive in Casco Antiguo or Casco Viejo and you are in Old Havana. The same architecture, the same architectural treasures, in ruins, with trees growing out of roofless buildings. But that’s where the similarity ends. Casco was declared a UNESCO world Heritage site in 1997. Panama has resources and money. These treasures are being restored to modern standards and functionality. The beauty is protected and secured. However, all the structural materials to rebuild are available. Plumbing is modern and works; air conditioning, almost unheard of in Cuba. If something breaks in your hotel, it’s fixed immediately. Hot water, toilet seats, are abundant. Furniture and linens are new. Mattresses and pillows are comfortable. No worries about the roach brigade visiting your room at night.

You won’t see the restored US cars, but you will see most everything else. It’s easy to get around, things work, and the people are very welcoming. I met several people from Cuba, who were glad to have left and happy to be in Panama.

My hotel, La Concordia, a newer 19th century addition, was beautifully restored with each room having its own private balcony, to enjoy the views and street scenes below. Panoramic city views, from the top floor bar and restaurant, with incredible food from a Spanish chef.

The food scene in Panama is delicious. From Michelin star restaurants to Fondas (street food) owned by Michelin star chefs, to any international cuisine, you could want. Chocolate and coffee are all the pride. Panama Geisha coffee is up there with the finest in the world. I bought 115 grams for $30. Haven’t tried it yet. I’ll let you know when I do.

Art galleries and craft shops are lovely. Panama hats (yes, I know they originally came from Ecuador), rum, chocolates and coffee. Panama is a Duty-Free Zone. Businesses come from all over South America to shop. You can too. Bring some extra suitcases.

Not a city person. Does the rain forest jungle call you? Our next stop was Puerto Bello; the real Prates of the Caribbean. This is where Sir Frances Drake and Henry Morgan fought the Spanish. In fact, Drake is buried at sea off a small island at the entrance of Puerto Bello Bay. Along the bay are many ruins and remnants of Spanish forts from the 1500 and 1600’s. The town, named by Christopher Columbus in 1502, was recently added to the UNESCO list. Slowly renovations are happening. The people of the town are descendants from the slave trade with lineage back to the Congo. Music and dance schools are teaching the kids about their heritage and culture.

We arrived and were transferred by water taxi to El Otro Lado, literally The Other Side. (The website needs work, scroll down to see the photos). This is heaven in the jungle. Beautiful orchids grow on trees. The maximum number of guests is 20. The grounds are beautiful. The artwork is all from local artists and wonderfully tongue in cheek, as well as stunning. It sits on the bay with beautiful views, a private lake, no beach. Not a problem. They will take you by private boat to a private beach and pick you up when you are ready to come back. Or you can take a catamaran trip for the day. Sail around the bay, out into the Caribbean, anchor to snorkel or kayak. If you are a scuba diver, there are some amazing sites to dive. Healthy coral reefs, which are becoming rarer as water temperatures rise.

Not a water person, how about cooking or art classes? You can hike through the jungle, with your private guide. Hammocks abound in every spot. It’s a step above glamping as you are in a cabana or the Casa Grande (4 room, 2 story house) all with A/C and the rain forest jungle or bay, right outside your door. Perfect for a family reunion, board retreat, business meeting, friends’ getaway, small wedding. You can rent the Casa Grande or buyout the entire retreat. This is truly a place to disconnect to reconnect.

If you are looking for turquoise waters and white sand beaches that’s the Pacific side in the archipelagoes. Check out Pearl Island , owned by the same family. Right now, it’s villas accessed with charter planes. A beautiful hotel is in the plans. Put this on your super luxury bucket list!

Check out my Facebook page. I’ll be posting pictures from my visit. If you stop by, please like my page.

---

Call me, let's talk! 415 931-1945.
Prefer to email? info@WeMakeTravelEasy.com

When is hacking a good thing?

Four Travel Hacks To Improve Your Vacation Experience

Anytime you travel away from home there’s a good chance you will run into some kind of unexpected problem or complication. Somethings, you’ll just have to roll with the punches, but others, you can side step, with a bit of planning. Instead of letting the inconveniences ruin your travel, make use of the following travel hacks to keep your mind where it should be, on your destination and vacation experience!

1. Stay Hydrated

If you’re tired of carrying a clunky water bottle around on your travels but often find yourself to be parched, then a collapsible water bottle may be right for you. While airports do not allow you to bring previously opened bottles through security, they often have bottle filling stations for guests who have already passed through screening. That’s where collapsible bottles, like Hydaway, come in handy. Simple flatten the bottle to store, and then expand it to fill with water. This way, you’ll stay hydrated while you wait to board and throughout your flight.

2. Keep Track of Luggage

Losing your luggage at the airport is one of the most frustrating experiences, and it’s actually one of the most common complaints of air travelers. Don’t rely on airport computer systems or your traditional baggage name tag to find your lost luggage. Leash It is one such tool that uses Bluetooth technology and GPS to track your bags. Simply place the small tracker inside your luggage, download the mobile app, and you’ll be better able to find your belongings should a problem arise. Some are expensive and aimed at Road Warriors. Others are free and good for occasional travelers. Here are more to check out.

3. Make the Most of Your Suitcase Space

Excess baggage fees can make a dent in your vacation budget, so it’s important to make use of every bit of space you have. When packing clothing, try rolling your garments instead of folding them to make room for items you wish to bring back home, such as souvenirs or gifts. Stuff socks into shoes. They do double duty by keeping your shoes from getting squished and not taking up any more space. I also take clothes and shoes, that I am ready to discard. After done wearing, I leave the items in my hotel room with a note saying,” Please give these to someone who can use them. They need to be washed.” Then I sign my name, with the room number and date I checked out. That way no one can be accused of taking something that didn’t belong to them. Now you have room for those new things you found along the way. It’s also smart to invest in a portable mini luggage scale, to ensure your bags do not go over the allowed weight for carry-on before you even get to the check-in counter.

4. If You Run Out of Clean Clothes

Accidents can happen anywhere, but clean-up often becomes more inconvenient when you travel. If you like to pack light but aren’t interested in doing laundry while you’re away, invest in a no-rinse washing agent like Soak’s eco-friendly wash packets. Perfect for a range of fabrics. Simply soak and squeeze your clothing, and then lay flat or hang to dry. This way, you can keep those lucky socks clean throughout your trip!

Use these four travel hacks for a more comfortable and organized trip, so you can spend your time focusing on getting the most out of your time away from home. Don’t let lost luggage, a dry throat, or dirty clothes ruin your adventure, take control of your travel with a few simple hacks. You’ll be glad you did!

---

Call me, let's talk! 415 931-1945.
Prefer to email? info@WeMakeTravelEasy.com