Creature Comforts, Flying

No doubt about it, commercial air travel can be uncomfortable these days. You’re packed into an aluminum tube with a couple hundred other souls, anxious to get somewhere, hoping to avoid delays. The air gets dry. Your stomach rumbles. Maybe you’re nervous about flying in the first place. Let’s take a look a few small things that can make the trip just a little better. After all, there’s always room for improvement. American Airlines hands out the following kit to their business and first class passengers. However, there’s no reason why you can’t make up a crafty unit like this for yourself. It starts with a neat pouch to contain your amenities.

Not bad, but the one shown above is a little large. I’d scale it down if I was putting my own together, perhaps to about half that size. Opening up, take a look at how neatly things are packed.

Things are pretty well stowed inside there. I give them an A for packability, if that’s a term. Removing the items you can take stock of what’s all in this unit.

Check that out. You have socks to keep your feet warm and comfortable. Eyeshades if you’d like to sleep while the lights are on. Lip balm and moisturizing cream to protect you skin form the dry air. Ear plugs in the small blue box and some tissues. A pen to work the crossword puzzle in the magazine (I needed the part from this one, which is why its missing). A toothbrush and some mints because fresh breath is a gift to yourself and everyone around you. A moist towelette to get that funk off your hands and face.

I’d add a few things. How about some snacks, like dried fruit and nuts in small packs. A couple 1 oz. bottles of Jack Daniel’s to mix with my free club soda. A device to play my favorite music or audio book. Keep the liquids below the federal limits for security. What else? Let me know.

Flying doesn’t have to be hades at the edge of the stratosphere. Prior preparation prevents poor performance. Take a moment to think about your trip, how you’re going to get there via airplane, and what measures could easily be taken to make it more enjoyable. You’ll be glad you did. The poor guy next to you will be jealous.

Published in: on June 6, 2010 at 1:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Casa Rural Mas Fontanelles

Only a kilometer or two from the town of Biar, Spain, in the Alicante region, you’ll find Casa Rural Mas Fontanelles. Imagine a large farmhouse complex converted to a bed and breakfast type of lodging. You can even enjoy your own little casita such as the one shown below.

Let’s call this a small hotel because it has its own swimming pool and gardens, which is more than I would expect from a bed and breakfast. We stayed in an average room that was cozy as shown in the next photo.

We happened to be the only people staying there on a Monday night. In other words we had the place to ourselves. It’s a shame I didn’t have bigger plans; I could have invited another twenty people for a nice time. No matter, the bathroom was also well appointed, too. Check it out.

Perhaps the nicest feature of the room was the little private balcony. I couldn’t resist taking a long break out there.

There are cushions for those chairs; so don’t worry. There was a comfortable common room just outside our door, a place suitable for reading, relaxing with a drink, or a quiet chat with friends.

A similar room can be found on the ground level, complete with its own wood-fired stove for chilly evenings.

You can take your meals in the dining room. We opted for supper and breakfast, which was prepared by the owner himself, a fun experience I will post about separately. I almost forgot about the view, which from our room looked like this:

Timeless, isn’t it? Mas Fontanelles is a little bit of a work in progress. There are some finishing touches being added to the outdoor spaces. However, I wouldn’t let this bother you. If you’re looking for a place to stay that offers plenty of creature comforts and none of the in-town hassles, give Mas Fontanelles a try.

Published in: on June 5, 2010 at 7:59 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Chinchilla de Montearagón, Spain

On the way from Alaracón to Biar, Spain, I plotted to check out the castle at Chinchilla de Montearagón. It’s a big old pile of rocks atop a hill like many castles. Just the kind I like. I exited the highway, climbed a one-lane track with a number of switchbacks only to arrive at a chain link fence bearing a sign that the castle was closed for renovations. Well, I can’t complain. The thing was built in the 15th century and who knows what kind of maintenance was done since. Hence, I rolled into the town itself by going down the track then back up the other side. In order to enter the town, you need the key, and here it is:

Luckily for me, the town fathers already had the gate open as you can see here.

I parked before entering the town, walked through the passageway you see above, and popped out on the other side that looks like this.

Couple of cannons there add to the effect that you’re in an old place. The gents hanging out there will be happy to relate a few stories if you’re interested. I got to wandering around, a bad habit but one that leads me to interesting things. Consider these painted beams from the local church.

And another example:

About six hundred years old they are. In good condition, too. There are quite a few palacios worth a look as you wind through the streets of Chinchilla, such as this one:

Note the pitch of that street. You’ll need good shoes and plenty of energy to hike around the towns of Spain. It’s okay because you work up a good appetite and can eat as you please. Here’s another one of those palacios.

The lesson for this day was that even if your primary travel objective is out of reach, you can still find plenty to see and do. Don’t be dissuaded by a ‘closed’ sign or a temporary inconvenience. Take a look around, plot a new course, and get on with it. It’s the journey, not the destination.

Published in: on June 4, 2010 at 12:58 am  Leave a Comment  
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Hotel Spa Villa de Alarcón

If you go back a couple of weeks, you’ll find my post about the fortifications of the town of Alarcón in Spain. Well, today we’re going to take a brief look at the place where I stayed while visiting this handsome town. Hotel Spa Villa de Alarcón is located literally on the edge of town. As you’ll soon see in the following photos, the building clings to the side of the hill on which the town sits. Driving up to the building, however, you’ll be greeted by this facade:

There are a few parking spaces in front of the building and plenty more in a lot just a few yards from where this photo was taken. Before going inside for a look at the room, check out the swimming pool.

It was chilly during my visit in April, so I did not take the waters. That is a nice pool, though, and I look forward to getting back here some day when it’s nice and hot. Moving inside, here’s a typical room.

The double doors open onto a common balcony that runs the length of the building. You can look out over the valley and the swimming pool, too. The bathrooms are fitted with plenty of marble as you see here.

Don’t forget, this facility is also a spa. Various treatments can be scheduled for your stay. I arrived late in the afternoon and departed the following morning, so I was unable to utilize this feature. You’ll also find a nice bar, a restaurant, and a staff that will take care of you. The town of Alarcón offers a few other dining spots as well as a couple of churches worth a look. Enjoy your stay!

Published in: on June 1, 2010 at 9:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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