Travel Wires

The man with the iron . . . bladder

Sydney University researchers couldn’t believe their data when they checked devices attached to passengers on Qantas’ 17-hour flight from Perth to London. Gadgets strapped to wrists and thighs monitored passengers’ activity for a study into jet lag. One man did not move from his seat for the entire flight — not even to use the bathroom. “We couldn’t believe how little [he] moved,” said Professor Stephen Simpson. Dubbed the “The Man With the Iron Bladder” by Herald aviation writer Grant Bradley, the Business Class passenger said he was so comfy he had little reason to get up. The research found passengers who maintained a normal routine were likely to feel better when reaching their destination. Those who moved around the plane were more likely to struggle with jet lag..

What’s in a name?

Travel Wires regards Britain’s tabloids as frequently having a loose acquaintance with facts, an opinion which is bolstered by a report of a new map “revealing the original names of countries around the world”. Fun facts: Spain is derived from the Latin “Land of Many Rabbits”, Mali from “Hippopotamus” and Mexico from a Spanish translation of the Aztec name for the highaltitude city, “In the Navel of the Moon”. Australia means “Southern Land” — note, there’s no “great” in there — and New Zealand translates as “the Land of the Long White Cloud”. Er, no, it doesn’t. “Aotearoa” does. Kiwi history, culture and linguistics offended in one sentence.

No frosty receptions here

Iceland is the world’s best country for excellent service, followed by Ireland and the UK, according to TripAdvisor, which has produced global rankings for accommodation, restaurants and experiences that “deliver great service and consistently achieve high traveller reviews”. That may come as news to many visitors to Britain. Best of the rest: Greece, Morocco, France, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Belgium. Cities: Key West, Reykjavik, Edinburgh. Restaurant service: Key West, Reykjavik, Bali. Accommodation: Chicago, Stockholm, Munich.

Toast to order

Proof — if anyone needed it — that Melbourne has reached peak hipster. Irked at having the “toastedness” of their bread dictated by waiters and cooks, Brunswick St’s Rustica Sourdough has proclaimed itself a “toast-safe space”. Rustica does serve toast but you can also buy a loaf and toast it yourself. As the owner points out, few cafes ask if you’d like your toast rare, medium, or well-done, so this means you can have it lightly toasted or burnt to a crisp.

— travel@nzherald.co.nz