HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.travel,soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Does MasterCard "work" in New Zealand?
From: jonc@status.gen.nz (Jon Clarke)
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 92 22:28:03 GMT
Organization: The Z*NET Global News Gateway in Parnell New Zealand.

sveini@mack.uit.no (Svein-Ivar Lillehaug) writes:

> Is it possible to "survive and get around" with a MasterCard in New Zealand?
> Is the MC well accepted by shops, motels, restaurants, banks etc. all over 
> the country? What about access to "money machines" with the MC?
 
 Svein, you can use your Master Card in our ATM's only if it is a member
 of the PLUS system. Have a look at the back of the card and see if it
 has a logo and the Name "PLUS". If it does you are in business. If not
 no ATM's but all the zip-zap machines are ok.
 
 regards,

  
  Jon  Clarke                                        Z*NET Pacific
  ================================================================
  Phone (+649) 358-5589  GEnie   : J.CLARKE6      CI$ : 75300,1642
  Fax   (+649) 302-2672  Hexagon : HSBC NZ EBD    IFNA: 3:772/105
  ----------------------------------------------------------------
  "The problem is between the chair and the Keyboard"  JimT NCR'91
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: kathleen@casbs.Stanford.EDU (Kathleen Much)
Subject: Re: VAT refunds ?
Organization: Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 06:34:37 GMT


The most sensible way to get your VAT refund is by credit to a Visa or
American Express account.  Much less hassle than trying to get a check
mailed to you, and no problem with exchanging a foreign currency.
Just be sure you charge the item originally, and tell the store you
want a charge credit as your refund.  They will show you how to fill
-- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Kathleen Much, Editor		|E-mail: kathleen@casbs.stanford.EDU
CASBS, 202 Junipero Serra Blvd.	|Phone: (415) 321-2052
Stanford, CA  94305		|Fax: (415) 321-1192
From: puerta@camis.Stanford.EDU (Angel Puerta)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Info needed about Spain
Date: 20 Nov 1992 08:57:06 GMT
Organization: Stanford University School of Medicine
Distribution: rec
NNTP-Posting-Host: camis.stanford.edu

In article <1992Nov20.042611.26474@mech.t.u-tokyo.AC.JP> sato@ccc.pe.u-tokyo.ac.jp writes:
>Hello, everybody in this group.
>Now, I'm planning to have a trip to Spain and France in comming March.
>I've read several guide books, but still have the following questions.
>
>1. Can I reserve a train of SNCF departing from Cerbere(a station on
>   the border between Spain and France), while I'm in Spain(Madrid or
>   Barcelona)?

Yes.
>
>2. Am I safe at night in Madrid ?
>   I will arrive in Madrid about midnight. I hear it dangerous to walk
>   alone at night in Spain. Does any one tell me the actual situation
>   or what should I do. Of course, I will reserve a hotel room for the
>   first night beforehand.

Well, I don't know where you got this idea, but anyway....Spain must be
one of the safest places to walk at night mainly because so many people
are out walking at night that it is hard to be alone (even in weekdays).
During the weekends you'll see people on the streets of Madrid, and 
traffic jams at 2am.

Now, for most of Spain, I would say walk as you please whenever you please.
In Madrid avoid the Plaza Mayor and Gran Via after 1am. This used to be
a nice place to walk a few years ago, now after midnight it tends to
have unsavory characters roaming around, the vast mayority of them
illegal inmigrants, which in turn attract the police asking people
for residency papers. If you're Japanese, you don't have to worry
about that. The Spanish police are not ashamed to use stereotypes
when deciding who they will stop, and who they will not bother.

Anyway, if you're a frequent traveller you already know that anything
can happen to anybody in any part of the world no matter how safe
that place may appear to be. So don't throw regular precautions out 
the window either.  And as usual in Europe, watch out for pickpockets.


-- 
Angel Puerta
puerta@camis.stanford.edu
Xref: sparky rec.travel:15554 rec.travel.air:5668
From: arc113h@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au (Chris Leong)
Newsgroups: rec.travel,rec.travel.air
Subject: URGENT: Price of film, etc.
Date: 17 Nov 92 08:59:00 +1100
Organization: Monash Uni. Accident Research Centre, Australia

Hi there,

I'm posting this on behalf of my brother who will be visiting the US and
Canada commencing Nov. 24.  He wishes to seek the net's help in prices
for the following items :

1.  Rolls of film:   Kodakchrome 64  36/roll
                     Kodak Gold ASA 100 36/roll, 24/roll
                     Kodak Gold ASA 1000 36/roll, 24/roll
                     Fujicolor ASA 100 36/roll, 24/roll
                     Fujicolor ASA 1000 36/roll, 24/roll

2.  Tennis racquet:  DUNLOP MAX 200G PRO or equivalent

3.  CDs:  Top 40 (including tax, if possible)

4.  Overpants:  GORETEX (3 ply, waterproof) - approx. price will do.

Any assistance will be most appreciated.  Prices (plus tax) may be
approximate figures.  He will be in North America for ~ 9 weeks, and
doesn't wish to carry too many rolls of film if the prices there are
comparable.

If it helps, the US cities he will be visiting are New York, Boston,
Orlando, Denver, San Francisco, Honolulu, Waikiki, Maui, Chicago, Las
Vegas; Canadian cities include: Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto,
Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Banff & Lake Louise.

Many thanks in advance for you help.

Chris.
From: doggie@cats.ucsc.edu (Anne-Gigi Ann Chi Chan)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Inexpensive accomodation in Washington DC?
Date: 20 Nov 92 09:01:16 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
NNTP-Posting-Host: si.ucsc.edu


 don't know what your budget is but I hope this will help...
I am going to DC this X'mas as well and I have made reservation at a place   
called the International Guest House, it's $25 per person for a night in a 
double. I don't have the address and the phone no. with me right now,
but I can write again later on or you can try looking it up from
travel guides... they should have it listed.

Anne-gigi
From: johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Customs (bringing thing out and into the US)
Date: 16 Nov 92 18:48:51 GMT
Article-I.D.: iecc.9211161348.AA02553
Organization: I.E.C.C.

>I want to take a small radio and a couple of CDs out of the US.
>How will customs know I already owned them when I return?

Because if you're smart, you'll visit customs at the airport before
you leave and get a form that identifies the equipment and confirms that
you already had it in the U.S.  Takes about five minutes.

Regards,
John Levine, johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl
From: maren@sif.research.ptt.nl (Maren E. van)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: INDIA: who has been to JAMMU & KASHMIR or HIMACHAL PRADESH ???
Date: 17 Nov 92 07:34:06 GMT
Organization: PTT Research

Hi, 

We consider to got to Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, next year in 
june, july or august. Has anyone been there during these months ? 
How is the weather, is it worth going there, is it dangerous/allowed to 
go there ??? 
How do you travel there, by train/bus/car ?

Thanks, 

	  Erik
From: grob@chorus.fr (Lori S. Grob)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Prepayment for Hotels through Travellers Checks ?
Date: 19 Nov 92 15:05:11 GMT

In article <1992Nov17.143211.28288@crd.ge.com>, saxena@smsun9.crd.ge.com writes:
> Hi 
> 
>  We will be in Italy between 10/14 - 10/24. While making reservations
> for some of the hotels, they have asked to send the complete
> payment in advance through US Dollar Travellers Checks (counter-signed) 
> as they do not take any Credit cards. I am not sure if this is the
> right mode of payment as I will not have any receipt of payment.
> What is the Check gets lost in mail ?
>   Did anyone ever have such an experience? Any information will
> be greatly appreciated.
> 
>  Thanks
> 
>  Mukul Saxena
>  email: saxena@crd.ge.com

It is not unusual to ask for a check or some other
kind of deposit (not a credit card number) even
hotels that take credit cards. And as someone pointed
out in an earlier post, many of the smaller hotels
in even the major cities in Italy don't take credit
cards. 

But complete payment in advance is unusual.
The normal thing is to pay a deposit for 1 or  2
nights.  After all what will you do if you pay them
and then you get there and find that building
has burned down or the owner has passed away etc.


What I did when I lived in the US was to send them a
regular check in US$. The point is that they will hold the
check until you actually pay whether with cash or not.

I would be very wary about sending signed travellers
checks through the mail as you say it is like sending
cash. 

You might give a call to an italian back in the
US and see if they have any suggestions, like
the equivalent of a money order in Lira or something
like that.

--
L.S. Grob
Chorus syste`mes			phone +33-1-30-64-82-17
6 avenue Gustave Eiffel			fax   +33-1-30-57-00-66	
F78182 Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines	email grob@chorus.fr	
--------
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: wei@ifi.unizh.ch (Qing Wei)
Subject: Info needed for Bay area & Grand Canyon.
Organization: University of Zurich, Department of Computer Science
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 08:30:35 GMT

During the first 2 weeks in February'93 I'll be travelling to
Bay area. It would be greatly appreciated if someone can give 
me some info on the followings.

1. I have a rt ticket (JFK <--> SFO) and will first go to
   San Jose downtown. Is there any public trasportation
   between airport SFO and San Jose downtown? Train, bus? 
   How much will it cost? 
   How long and how often does it run?

2. Is it possible from San Jose to visit the Grand Canyon with a
   tour group? And also how long and how much should I expect?
   Or is it really worth to go to the Grand Canyon during this season?

3. After staying in San Jose for several days I'll be heading to
   San Francisco. Again should I go by train or bus? 
   How long does it take? 
   Is it necessary to reserve seat in advance? 

Thanks a lot.
wei@ifi.unizh.ch
-- 
   Qing Wei                  |\  /||\  /||     Email: wei@ifi.unizh.ch  
   Dept. of Computer Science | \/ || \/ ||     Tel.:  +41 1 257 4317    
   University of Zurich      |    ||    ||____ Fax:   +41 1 363 0035    
  _Switzerland_________________________________Telex:  817 251 unii ch_ 
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: martin@megadata.mega.oz.au (Martin Corr)
Subject: Re: CUBA/NICARAGUA/EL SALVADOR
Originator: martin@job
Organization: Megadata P/L, North Ryde, Sydney, Aust.
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 00:33:30 GMT

From article <3205@nlsun1.oracle.nl>, by rbakker@nl.oracle.com (Rick Bakker):
> Sorry guys - my email to him bounced.

So did mine. Thanks a lot for the Cuba mail, Tom.
You're the only one who has bothered to reply.

> Tom,
> I for one would very much like to hear of any other details on your Cuba
> trip. I would love to go there - preferably while it's still quaintly 
> communist. Socialism under a blue sky - wow. How did you get there, what
> did it cost, any other memories... Any monument at Bay of Pigs ("Almighty
> Buck was stopped here")? Were there any visa hassles?
> Now that this is a posting anyway, could someone tell me if Americans
> really aren't allowed to go to Cuba (could be the island's biggest  
> attraction) and if so, who or what doesn't allow this? I know I couldn't
> find any way of getting there from Florida, so it's probably true.

There is just a trade embargo. Cuba is easy to get to from anywhere else
in the world - from Mexico or Jamaica. Indeed, there a nine flights a week
to Shannon.

> Of course, if anyone else has useful info, drop me a line. I promise
> here and now a travelogue.
> Rick 

If its not asking too much I'd like to know everything I can get.

How much was the resort ?
Rent of Dune Buggy ?
Did you stay anywhere in Havana ?
Where? How Much? "Dollar" or "Peso" hotels ?
How did you get to Cuba ?
Did you notice anyway to get to either Jamaica or Mexico without flying ?
Tips ?  Warnings ?
Why did you go in the first place ?
The books carry notes on limitations of travel and hotel bookings. Do
these still apply ?

I'm sorry to ask all of this but Cuba is not exactly a traditional
holiday destination for Australians and Book such as Central/South America
Handbook/On a shoestring seem hopelessly short of info.

Ob Bribe : I'll send a postcard !

Thanx,  Martin
From: Ivan B. Alves S. <alves@unixg.ubc.ca>
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: InterRail
Date: 21 Nov 1992 23:36:04 GMT
Organization: University of British Columbia
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: port64.annex1.net.ubc.ca
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1.1d12
X-XXMessage-ID: <A73409F7FB0101A4@port64.annex1.net.ubc.ca>
X-XXDate: Sat, 21 Nov 92 23:44:55 GMT

I need a cheap means of transportation this christmas over Europe.  Could 
anybody tell me 
a) When is the France pull out of the InterRail program effective?
b) I am a European by nationality.  Am I still elegible to purchase the 
InterRail once I go home for Christmas (I haven't been in Europe for a 
while)?  If so, could I buy it in a country other than the one I have the 
passport for?


Please reply to 
alves@unixg.ubc.ca (If possible, otherwise I'll keep my eyes open)

Thanks
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: cml0464@ultb.isc.rit.edu (C.M. Leung)
Subject: Language cassette wanted
Originator: cml0464@ultb
Reply-To: cml0464@ultb.rit.edu ()
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 14:27:09 GMT

Hi netters:

	I apologize first if this post bothers anyone.  If anyone has
a full-length cassette tape language course on Danish I would be interested
in hearing from him or her.  Thank you all.

Regards
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Sierra Leone
Date: 16 Nov 1992 10:53:31 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Sierra Leone
============================================================
SIERRA LEONE - WARNING
 November 13, 1992

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution 
when considering 
travel to Sierra Leone.  A recent military coup has resulted in an 
active, highly 
visible military presence throughout the country.  Travelers should 
especially avoid 
the Kono district in the eastern province where there has been an 
outbreak of 
fighting.  Americans already in this area have been urged to depart 
until the 
situation stabilizes.

Extreme caution should be exercised in the eastern and southern 
border areas with 
Liberia, where fighting resulting from a rebel incursion from 
Liberia continues.  The 
area of Kailahun, northeast of Daru, should be avoided.

In Freetown, a curfew remains in effect and is strictly enforced.  
Similar curfews 
have been imposed in other areas.  Travelers should remain alert to 
possible curfew 
restrictions throughout the country.  Roadblocks manned by military 
personnel 
exist at key points.  Petty street crime and theft of 
wallets/passports remain a 
problem.

Dual U.S.-Sierra Leonean citizens traveling on their Sierra Leone 
passports should 
be aware that bearers of Sierra Leone passports are now required to 
present proof of 
payment of taxes before being granted departure clearance from the 
country.

All U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Sierra Leone are urged to 
register with the 
U.S. Embassy in Freetown and to receive updated security 
information.  The 
Embassy is located at No. 1 Walpole Street, telephone (232) (22) 
226481.

No. 92-177

This replaces the travel advisory dated June 29, 1992, and advises 
travelers to avoid 
or depart the Kono district.

Organization: Doctoral student, Social & Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 17:29:11 -0500 
From: "Kenneth L. Simons" <ks3y+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Peru & Shining Path

I have a ticket to South America to use up, so I'm planning a trip.  It
would be great to see Puno, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu.  But I'm not sure
how many Shining Path attacks have happened in that area of Peru.  Does
anyone know about this?

Thanks in advance,

- Ken
From: brit@wagner.Physics.McGill.CA (Dave Britton)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: England to Scotland
Date: 23 Nov 92 05:39:03 GMT
Organization: McGill University

In article <sheffiel.28@bobcat.lmc.edu> sheffiel@bobcat.lmc.edu (Susie  
Sheffield ) writes:
> 
> 
> I will be in England from 12/2 - 1/8/93 (London).  I hope to 
> get to Scotland for an overnight. Is the train the best way to go?
> Where would you recommend going in Scotland with just one to one
> and a half days to visit?  How long does it take to get to
> Scotland from England by train?
> 
Assuming you will be in London, you could get to Edinburgh in about
5-hours by train for around $100  return fare. However, whilst 
Edinburgh is a fine city it seems rather pointless if you only have 
one and a half days: You will not "see" much of Scotland.
From: santafe@watserv.ucr.edu (michael a parisi)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: The new Pittsburgh International Airport
Date: 24 Nov 92 01:07:16 GMT




Has anyone had the opportunity to pass through this place yet?
If so, could you please tell me what it's like?
Good points?    Bad points?

 				Thanks
From: n8443916@henson.cc.wwu.edu (John Gossman)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: England to Scotland
Date: 23 Nov 92 04:29:13 GMT
Article-I.D.: henson.1992Nov23.042913.25144
Organization: Western Washington University

sheffiel@bobcat.lmc.edu (Susie Sheffield ) writes:



>I will be in England from 12/2 - 1/8/93 (London).  I hope to 
>get to Scotland for an overnight. Is the train the best way to go?
>Where would you recommend going in Scotland with just one to one
>and a half days to visit?  How long does it take to get to
>Scotland from England by train?

	The train is generally the best way to get around England,
especially if you're going very far.  If you only have a day, there
is no question...GO TO EDINBURGH.  It is the most beautiful city
in northern Europe.  The Highlands are also great, but if you only
have a day, don't even bother.  Go to Edinburgh, go to the castle,
walk to Royal Mile, take a bus tour of the city (these sound cheesy,
but are a great way to orient yourself when you first get to any
big city in England).  Also, in case you don't know, stay in the
B&Bs in England, they are better and cheaper than hotels.  And use
the book-ahead at the travel information centres to get yourself
lodgings.  The train from London-Edinburgh takes about 5 hours if
I recall properly.  If you are going to be in the isles for over
a month, you are severely short-changing Scotland with only 
1 and a half days (unless its a business trip and you only have
a couple days for fun).

	I envy you.

	-JG
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: wing@canada.ceo.dg.com (Brian Wing)
Subject: Re: Whistler BC Weather Thanksgiving Week
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 17:24:45 GMT
Organization: Data General (Canada) Inc.

adamt@ant.EBay.Sun.COM (Tom Adam) writes:
: 
: I am traveling to Whistler, BC for Skiing during Thanksgiving
: week.  Is there enough snow, or should I leave my skis at home?
: 
: 
Saw on television last night that there was 15-20 cm new snow there and 
they were planned to open November 26.
-- 
Brian Wing                         Software Support Critter
Data General (Canada) Inc.
130-13151 Vanier Pl., Richmond     dotdot: brian_wing@canada.ceo.dg.com
B.C., Canada V6V 2J2               "Hello?": +1 604 273 5100
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: sauder@aplcenmp.apl.jhu.edu (EY Sauder clyde jeffr (410) 209-6155)
Subject: Re: Suggestions for Hotel near Disney World
Keywords: hotel, disney
Organization: Johns Hopkins Continuing Professional Programs
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 01:07:22 GMT

ekins@infonode.ingr.com (Brian Ekins) writes:

>We'll be going to Disney World in the future and I'm looking for any
>suggestions for hotels near the park.  I'm looking for very reasonable
>prices and nice clean rooms.  Free breakfasts would also be an attractive
>feature.  The closer to the park the better, but if the price is right a

4 1/2 years ago, my wife and I stayed at the Park Suite in Orlando.  It
was within 10 miles of the park, but it could have been only a couple
miles -- I don't remember.  Anyway, the price then was $85 per night
and the room was a suite.  It had a king-sized bed, a kitcheonette
(small refrigerator and sink, and maybe a microwave??), a sitting area
with an additional tv (there was one in the bedroom), and a picture window
looking out over the atrium.  I think there were 8 floors.

The price included a free buffet breakfast for everyone along with a
copy of USA Today.  The breakfast was served in the atrium, which had
several different levels, fountains, and palm trees.  The elevators are
glass and also look out over the atrium.  It had a heated indoor
swimming pool (no deep end), a whirlpool, a sauna, a restaurant, and a bar.

I would highly recommend it (as my travel agent did to me) and would stay
there again.

Jeff Sauder    sauder@aplcenmp.apl.jhu.edu

Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: bwood@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov (William Wood)
Subject: Re: The way to Key West
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 16:44:00 GMT

In article <83810@ut-emx.uucp>, wyf307@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Freeman Yu-Feng Wei) writes...
> 


send me a mail message with your detailed request, and I'd be happy to
respond   -   Bill
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: duck@well.sf.ca.us (Robert Lauriston)
Subject: Re: WANTED - Information on Italy, France, & Greece
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1992 19:07:16 GMT


What do you expect to see in Greece?  If you're looking for ruins, think
about visiting Sicily instead.  How much time do you have?  If you've got
the whole month of January, you could visit two countries comfortably, but
with less time you'd probably be better off sticking just to Italy.

Weather is nasty in Belgium in January.  Not great anywhere in Europe,
really, so plan on spending most of your time indoors.
Xref: sparky rec.travel:15779 soc.culture.indian:37845
From: babu@bigwpi.WPI.EDU (Babu Gopalakrishnan)
Newsgroups: rec.travel,soc.culture.indian
Subject: Re: Bad experience on Malaysia Airlines
Date: 21 Nov 1992 09:23:16 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
NNTP-Posting-Host: bigwpi.wpi.edu

In article <xx> mohanram@wsl.dec.com (Narayan Mohanram) writes:
>In article <1992Nov20.031117.22136@athena.cs.uga.edu>, venugop@athena.cs.uga.edu (ABDUL PETER IYENGAR) writes:
>|> The amount we spend posting these ridiculous anecdotes and gripes would
>|> be more expensive than waiters we can tip for a coupole of years. That 
>|> is how priviliged we are.
>|> It is like discussing poverty in a five star hotel.
>|> gopa
>|> ABDUL PETER IYENGAR
    ^^^^^
	  ^^^^^
		^^^^^^^^

I don't care about the post so much, but what I'm interested in is this
person's name.  He has a musilm first name, a christian middle name and a
south indian hindu last name.   Rather interesting combination if you
ask me.

				BABU
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Newsgroups: rec.travel