When I cash in my frequent flyer miles, my strategy is usually pretty simple: Spend as few as possible.

However I also understand the allure of redeeming those miles for top tier travel as it can enable access to some incredible experiences that most of us would never be able to afford otherwise. On Medium, Derek Low has written up his experience flying Singapore Airlines Suites Class. In it, you’ll get a glimpse at the over-the-top food and service that the airline provides to create a “beyond first class” product.

Personally, I don’t know how he’s going to be able to recalibrate back to normal levels of service after an experience like this one – but I suppose that this is what you might call “A Good Problem™”.

This is a link post – You can visit the site mentioned by clicking the main link above (or just click here).
This article originally appeared at Veritrope.com

An old woman walks 1km to buy pain medicine.

Young Lao Photographers Document Their World With Donated Cameras


It’s hard to believe that it’s already been three months since I visited Luang Prabang, Laos to work alongside the dedicated people who run The Language Project. Fanny Odermatt, a Swiss volunteer at Language Project’s @ My Library center sent me a message yesterday with a brief update on one of their projects: The Young Lao Photographer’s Gallery. If you’re in need of a bit of “virtual traveling” (or if you participated in the Help In Your Own Way Giveaway), I thought this would be a nice middle-of-the-week treat for you! Students use donated cameras to document their daily lives and, in image after image, you can see both the beauty and the challenges of life in the Lao Republic. Soon, you’ll be able to buy these images directly from the website and the proceeds will be shared by the library and the photographers. As part of the run-up to a book project called “Laos Through Our Own Eyes”, the @My Library center has also sponsored a Portrait Contest for its students. There are some really lovely, affecting shots here — especially remarkable given how young these photographers are. While you’re there, be sure to check out the other galleries as well!

This is a link post – You can visit the site mentioned by clicking the main link above (or just click here).