What we’ve learned in this week’s travel

The etiquette and rituals of standing up in the aisle to disembark the plane are fraught with difficulties and awkwardness. Travel Bugs » p10 Japanese-born, US-trained chef Roy Yamaguchi’s restaurant Roy’s Waikiki opened in 1988 and is now a Honolulu institution. The steak is legendary. Pacific Islands » p12 The medina of Fez, according to blind traveller Fraser Alexander, is “a rich sensorium of smells, sounds, textures and tastes”. Best of 2017 » p14-p15 Kerala, in southern India, offers visitors some respite from the chaos, noise, poverty and pollution common in other parts of the country. Asia » p16-p17 There are 248 steep steps to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, near Mexico City. It’s the third-largest pyramid in the world and was once home to 100,000 people. Central America » p18-p19 Fans of Frank Sinatra can still see vestiges of the old showman in Las Vegas at venues like the Golden Nugget, on Fremont St, where Ol’ Blue Eyes headlined from 1984 to 1989. USA » p20-p21 Koru Carman, of Footprints Waipoua, had an epiphany about how to run a tourism business one night while out in the forest. He Tangata » p21 Global hotel chain Avani recently purchased and refurbished the Metropolis building’s 100 hotel apartments. Their Keys to the City guide connects guests via Facebook’s Messenger system to someone with insider knowledge of the city. Room Check » p23 The longest flight in the world, Qatar Airways’ QR921, takes 17 hours and 50 minutes, covering 14,535km and crossing 10 time zones. “Or you could just say a bloody long flight,” writes Donna McIntyre. Flight Check » p25 If you’ve had a shocker with your passport, you can get an express replacement, but it will take around three working days, and cost you $360, twice the normal fee. Opinion » p26 If you get a leech on you, sprinkle salt on the thing. “Never pull them off because they will leave their mouthparts in you and go septic,” warns reader Robin Osborne. Letters to the Travel Editor » p26 You can win a night for two at the Avani Metropolis hotel. Departure Lounge » p27 Among the big trends for 2018, watch out for travel that takes us “off the beaten track and diving into new cultures”, says Intrepid’s boss. Travel Wires » p27 This is the last issue of Travel for the year. Our first issue back is on January 9. We Like » p27