The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    I like this itinerary a lot. That would be a blast.
     
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  2. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
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    this was our exact itinerary and is perfect . We did Lima for a day but it was forgettable of you’re rushed for time. A lot to do around Cusco so I like two days there, but you probably only need one for acclimatizing.

    Resist the urge to get drunk before the hike, but stay at Loki Hostel after it’s over. Place was pretty insane
     
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  3. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I got drunk off one beer in the middle of my trek

    It's really hard to realize exactly what the altitude does to you
     
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  4. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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  5. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    that would be safe. Depends on how much time at altitude in Cusco before starting the trek. To and from Huacachina is by coach bus so that’s a half day or so of travel. I do think a night on each end in Lima is enough, even though I didn’t hate it like some.
     
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  6. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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  7. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Only reason to do a pitstop in Lima would be for a meal -- several of the top restaurants in the world are there. Other than that, not too much. Get to the mountains as soon as you can.

    And I think the Salkantay is the favorite ITT, but there are 100s of tours you can do of any length, and they all end in MP. 2-3-4-5 days, or you can just take a train to MP and do it in 1-2 days without any hiking.
     
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  8. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    FWIW, just looked and I did my trip in 7 days (no hiking besides around mountain). Train from Cusco to Machu area got me there. Let me know if you want me to write it out for you.
     
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  9. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    And McDonalds and Central are both restaurants
     
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  10. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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  11. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    Appreciate the offer and I might take you up on this in the future. I think for this trip the right answer might be Costa Rica.
     
  12. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Tons of good CR info on here and I just got back three weeks ago. Did 6 days (Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Jaco)
     
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  13. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    Love when you sit exit row and the flight attendant asks if you’re willing and able to assist in the event of an emergency. I say yeah, then she proceeds to serve me a couple double whiskeys and a glass of red. There will be no useful assistance after that.
     
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  14. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    Looking forward to this tmw evening. "Uhh, yes, two Woodfords please. No, no need for a mixer. I'm good." And then enjoy the slight look of "what the hell?" On his/her face.
     
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  15. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    booked a relatively last minute flight next week and all that was available was Comfort+

    so hi yes I will be taking advantage of the free booze even if its 830am fuck you
     
  16. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    In the SFO centurion lounge. Packed, because of course. Jerry Rice is in here though.
     
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  17. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Just booked a flight from Atlanta to Tokyo for $338. Arrive in June. Heyo. Deal was too good to pass up.
     
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  18. C Yank

    C Yank #WalkOnCoach
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    Hopefully you got travel insurance; a lot of countries weighing travel bans to Japan.
     
  19. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    I got "cancellation reimbursement" for exactly that reason.
     
  20. C Yank

    C Yank #WalkOnCoach
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    Good man, hopefully all works out for you, that price is a steal.
     
  21. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Hopefully... I think the price is directly because of the virus. HOPEFULLY the scare in June won't be as strong.
     
  22. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    If they don't cancel it, you might be able to see some of the Olympics!
     
  23. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Saw that deal pop up. Laughed at it. Good for you tho. The whole world will have it by then so no need limiting travel
     
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  24. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Finally got everything booked for Africa - third time going to Africa in a 2 year span. Hell yes.

    Side note - Namibia is not very cheap, and we're camping most of the time. $1,500 for truck rental from May 4 - May 9, and that includes camping equipment for 4 people, plus campsite bookings.

    April 25 - arrive in Cape Town
    Apr 26 - May 1 - Afrikaburn
    Sat, May 2 - fly from CT to Walvis Bay, Namibia
    Sun, May 3 - check out the coast of Namibia - Swakopmund, Sandwich Bay, etc. Have an airbnb right on the Atlantic Ocean: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16785521
    Mon, May 4 - pick up rental truck + camping equipment, drive to Sossusvlei
    Tues, May 5 - Sossusvlei, etc.
    Wed, May 6 - drive to Windhoek (capital)
    Thurs, May 7 - drive to Etosha, hopefully arrive midday/early afternoon for some game viewing that afternoon (safari - camping inside the park for 2 nights)
    Fri, May 8 - Etosha safari/different camp site on other side of park
    Sat, May 9 - morning game drive, drive back to Windhoek, flight back to US departs at 9 PM

    Doing everything as a self-drive with no guide--even in Etosha--which adds a different element to things. Need to do a lot more research, primarily to get the most out of the safari.
     
  25. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    was a 90k delta miles round trip business class fare to japan going around

    i had just cancelled my japan trip but at that price i was tempted to book and just YOLO it
     
  26. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    No skeleton coast?
     
  27. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Not enough time, just really out of the way. The_Baumer said there's not much difference between the Skeleton Coast and Walvis Bay/Sandwich Bay -- both feature sand dunes falling right into the Atlantic and old wrecks, so will still get to see that during the first part. Going to rent some 4x4s/do some sort of tour while in Walvis.

    Also learned that Namibia is the second-least populated country behind Mongolia. Everything I've read about driving says you'll go hours without seeing another person.

    I have about 2 months to learn how to drive a manual transmission in the States - it was like $1,000 more expensive to rent an automatic. Then, after learning in America, will have to get accustomed to driving a manual for the left side of the road in Namibia. My buddy coming says he can drive a stick, but I don't want to rely on him for driving the entire time.
     
  28. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    As previously posted ITT, I had to bail on my honeymoon a few weeks ago because my dad unexpectedly passed away. I paid my travel agent a lump sum paid over two installments, and the travel agency then booked hotels, drivers, activities, etc. I put the entire trip on a Citi AAdvantage credit card. The first installment was paid in July/August 2019 and the second was paid in January 2020.

    In September 2019, Citi announced they were getting rid of their trip cancellation protection plan for the card (effective September 22, 2019) but purchases made before then would still be covered in a maximum amount of $5k. The Citi trip cancellation protection is secondary coverage, meaning that Citi only pays amounts that were not reimbursed by airlines, hotels, etc.

    This morning, I found out I'll be getting reimbursed about $3k from the travel agency. Because I paid a travel agent a single lump sum amount (broken up in 2 installments), it's not exactly clear to me (at this point) what that $3k represents (e.g., hotels, drivers, activities, etc.). Nevertheless, I am out more than $8k on the trip, so I imagine I am about to have an uphill battle with Citi in trying to recoup the maximum allowed amount of $5k. I wonder if they'll accept the argument that they should refund me the maximum $5k since the first installment is/was covered by the trip protection plan, and that the $3k refunded and the costs actually incurred for the time I was there all fell into the second installment, which is not covered by the trip protection plan.

    I wonder how long this will take and how much I'll get back. Should be interesting and will probably take more time than it's worth but fuck the man
     
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  29. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    When you get outside of the populated regions like Ovamboland (where I lived), Swakopmund, the Caprivi Strip and Windhoek, there’s a chance you won’t see another westerner at all.

    I visited the Kunene region where the Himbas live. Between them and the San (bushmen), it doesn’t get much more primitive.
     
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  30. DeToxRox

    DeToxRox Uncle T
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    Does TMB have a preferred travel insurance agency?
     
  31. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    I used World Nomads when I took a few months in Asia. Only time I've ever bought it. No complaints, was pretty cheap.
     
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  32. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    What are your thoughts on self-driving Etosha? After a good bit of research I have no worries about driving Swakopmund --> Sossusvlei --> Windhoek --> Etosha. Just a little concerned about doing the safari without a guide.
     
  33. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    I would do a guide if possible. It’s much easier and more educational. You’ll have a better experience with someone else guiding you, IMO.
     
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  34. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    going to iceland in a few months for a week, flight deal I couldn't pass up

    planning these types of trips are so much more complicated, just the whole changing hotels every night thing and trying to gauge timing of hikes/etc
     
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  35. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Good luck, I can see so many ways they'll try to bone you (you didn't book a trip, you booked a travel agent. We only cover flights sorryyyy) but hopefully I'm wrong
     
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  36. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Yeah I’ve told the travel agent I’m likely going to need details and itemized invoices, and she understands. We shall see
     
  37. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    What is the likelihood United gives me my points back if travel to and from Asia is government banned?

    I have about $800 of flights within Thailand and Cambodia on my CSR booked for May and June I will fight with them over but that’s less devastating than losing 180k UR > United.
     
  38. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    I had no problem getting points back from American due to an emergency, and presumably if travel is banned United won't either. American refunded the taxes associated with the trip, too. It was surprisingly easy. Like 15 minutes of waiting and 5 minutes of talking easy.
     
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  39. Why?Pokes

    Why?Pokes Take me back to the kine
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    Hoooooly fucking shit. Just got back from a day on the GBR and before we left the docks we’d already booked another tour for tomorrow. Other than surfing at Noosa, this has definitely been the highlight of our trip.

    Honestly I was kinda not looking forward to the GBR because I thought it would be overpriced and overcrowded for what it is. Forget that. If you visit Queensland it’s a 100% must-do, and I would recommend budgeting as much as you can afford to give yourself the maximum amount of time possible on the Outer Reef.

    Skip Cairns and book a place in Port Douglas. It’s a cheap town, you can walk everywhere, and it’s a quicker boat ride to the reef which means more time in the water. If you’re dying to Scuba, then go for it, but consider a snorkel-only tour as you’ll save some money and not miss a thing.

    We spent a fair amount of time cross-shopping different tour groups and would recommend Wavelength and Sailaway (snorkel-only) and Calypso (dive/snorkel combo). Those seem to be the best compromise between price and group-size, although I’m sure any of them will be a blast. Maybe avoid the ones that only go to the inner reef and the 200-person Quicksilver rigs that dock at the Agincourt pontoon station (unless you’re bringing kids).

    I can not recommend the outer reef enough—the variety of coral and clarity of the water is absolutely breathtaking.
     
  40. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
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    Had to switch my trip to Italy at last minute. Wife and I now headed to Dominican Republic. 2 nights in Santo Domingo, 3 nights in Casa de Campo. Anyone been? Best places to eat/drink?
     
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  41. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Yeah but Skelton Bay has the longest left in the world, brah :8mm:
     
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  42. Fran Tarkenton

    Fran Tarkenton Hilton Honors VIP
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    Did this trip a while back. You will really like Casa de Campo. As far as Santo Domingo = tons of bars all over the Colonial Zone + plenty of al fresco dining, but we found it to be a mixed bag tbh.
    La Briciola
    Buche Perico
    Lulu Tasting Bar
    Ristorante Angelo
    Cava Billini Wine Bar
    The best restaurant to check out is El Meson de la Cava, which you will need a taxi to get to. Cool Experience.
     
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  43. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
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    Thanks! Did you guys get a driver out to Casa de Campo or rent a car? We literally booked this yesterday and we're on the flight down right now.
     
  44. Fran Tarkenton

    Fran Tarkenton Hilton Honors VIP
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    We rented a car which was a mistake. For sure get a driver.

    Got stopped by paramilitary style dudes that had a roadblock setup asking for locals money, they luckily lets u thru when they recognized us as anglophone tourists.
     
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  45. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    From The Guardian:


    home
    Coronavirus: Italy death toll rises to 34 as Dominican Republic reports first case – latest updates
     
  46. C Yank

    C Yank #WalkOnCoach
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    Sweet, leaving for there next week, but can't imagine it's worse than Seattle right now.

    Anybody have any tips for Punta Cana?
     
  47. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Any really cool Japan cities I should visit (let's just assume I'm going until I'm not for now)?

    We were generically thinking Kyoto and Tokyo, but open to other options.
     
  48. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    as someone who did tons of research for a first japan trip i settled on Kyoto/Osaka as the first non Tokyo options

    kind of matters how much time you have
     
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  49. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Spent the weekend up in Vancouver, amazing as always.

    Ate in Richmond twice, and it was fucking incredible. Sun Sui Wah (chinese seafood) on Friday night, and just finished at "HK BBQ Master," hole-in-the-wall shop that recently blew up after an episode of "Breakfast Lunch Dinner" featuring Seth Rogan. It was incredible.
     
  50. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Think we're going to try and head to Tofino to camp for three nights over July 4. Very pumped.