HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: howeird@hplabsz.hpl.hp.com
Subject: Re: info on penang
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 22:21:00 GMT
Organization: HP Research Grants Program

According to gcoppak@state.systems.sa.gov.au:
>I am planning a trip to penang in November if anybody in net land
>has any information on this country it would be a great help
>i am intrested in any places of intrest and places that are a must
>to do in penang
Penang is a small island off the coast of the northwest coast of Malaysia,
and is part of Malaysia, not an independent country. It can be reached by land
via the bridge that connects it to Butterworth, which is the nearest
mainland town. Before the bridge was built, there was a ferry from
Butterworth, but I do no know if it is still in operation. I also am not
sure if Penang has an airport. I would expect it does, since there is one
on the Thai island of Phucket, which is a similar size and population.

Near the top of my list of things to see on Penang are the batik factories.
These are small cottage-industry setups which make hand-dyed patterns on
cotton and silk. My favorite thing to do is relax on the beaches, and take
a bicycle around part of the coast. Town used to be a duty-free shopping
center, but it's been 15 years since I've shopped there...

......................................................................
. Howard Stateman            | I knew French was a language by age 6.  . 
. howeird@hpl.HP.COM         | At 19 I discovered it was also a tongue..  
. [Not an HP spokesman]      |Anatomically Correct BBS (415) 8-jovial  .
........................................................................ 




Xref: sparky rec.travel:12815 soc.culture.brazil:2252
From: petrescd@acf3.nyu.edu (Deivy Marck Petrescu)
Newsgroups: rec.travel,soc.culture.brazil
Subject: Re: Brazil travel question
Date: 2 Sep 92 20:08:59 GMT
Organization: New York University

sws8n@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (Stefan William Sittig) writes:
>>--
>>              Lynn Bloom                        LOCKHEED
>>       bloom@hlpdsk.jsc.nasa.gov      Engineering & Sciences Company
>>       bloom@hdaw2.jsc.nasa.gov          2400 NASA Rd 1, Houston,
>>          (713) 333-7717                    TX 77058-3799

>There has always been a fear of a military coup in Brazil, that's because
>for 20 or more years, the military ran the country and instilled terror
>viloence, torture, degradation, theft and all those wonderful things that
>dictatorships provide.  I lived in Rio de Janeiro from 1979-1990 and until 1984
>I lived under the military regime.  But Brazil has been a "democracy" since
>President Collor was elected in 1990.  Rumors of military coups will always
>be present, and as Americans, do not worry.  SHould you decide to visit
>and for some slip of luck, a coup should be attempted and succeed, then just report to the American Consulate of your choice, I'm sure they'll provide you with first class tickets out of the country, I mean, they're probably behind the coupanyway!!
>					-Stefan      


   Stefan, I generally tend to be very defensive when dealing with
Americans (US citizens), I cought myself defending those killers
that you just mentioned. I think this stems from the fact that I
feel a kind of arrogance when people talk about a third world country.
Hardly I felt that someone was actually interested and willing to listen
to something that myght be a little off main stream.
  This goes to say that I really admire you courage to state what is
well known but not spoken of.
   Um PuTa abraco , companheiro !
   And if you criticize Brasil , I wont feel defensive I promise!

       Deivy
From: 21329KAD@MSU (Kim Dyer)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Loud irritating obtrusive American tourists.
Date: 3 Sep 92 02:08:37 GMT
Organization: Michigan State University


>>Unfortunately many (probably not most) are. The basic problem, as far
>>as I believe, is with the totally inadequate system of education in
>>the US. Thus you get all these undereducated americans that seem to
>>be specifically bred to "do" Europe in 5 days or less.

>Yea, right asshole.  That's why the entire world flocks to schools in the
>US.  Sure, make your ridiculous conclusions, you'll probably be applying
>here for grad school.
 <<gratuitous flame-bait and cheering for WWII US troops deleted>>

Note, first of all, the calm reasoning here.  Makes me proud to be an
American (*choke*).

Sir, perhaps there ARE college and graduate programs in the US that are
superior to most of those in other countries.  The reason you see so many
foreign nationals in US schools could just as easily be explained by OUR
schools having lower admissions standards then THIERS.

I suspect the circle you are familiar with are college educated individuals.
The reality OUTSIDE of this circle is somewhat distressing.

I find it frightening that so FEW Americans read ANY books.  I find it
frightening that most Americans only speak one language. (I admit guilt
here myself, but I hope to try to learn some Russian in the next year.)
My grandmother was uneducated, but she spoke 6 eastern european languages
fluently as well as English.  Give a random 3 Americans and a random 3
Brits a history quiz ... (WWII or something, not "name George Washington's
dentist" stuff) ... and the Americans will likely get SMOKED.  Same goes
for Math.   Employers are screaming about not being able to get people
who can READ to apply for jobs.  There are studies that show that a basic
knowledge of applied physics will be a needed skill in the 21st century.
Basic chemistry.  US secondary schools are still teaching algebra.
Geography education here is such a joke a significant percentage of the
population thinks they need a passport to go to New Mexico!

As for Americans WORKING and not being ABLE to take 6 week vacations
.. I actually find this troubling.  How do those folks in Japan manage
to get as much if not MORE accomplished and still put in fewer hours?

I *do* count myself lucky to have been born here.  But part of the
reason I CAN be glad to be here is because I can acknowledge our
flaws and attempt to find ways to FIX them.  Pretending that we are
perfect will drive the US educational and economic systems RIGHT
into the toilot.
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 23:15:18 EDT
From: Fred Houlihan: 814-238-4123, Fax:238-1604 <FTH@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject:    New embassy in Amman, Jordan

A State Department Travel Advisory posted in this forum on 24 Aug, 1992
(24 Aug 09:28:02) listed the old number for the old American Embassy in
Amman.  The new embassy is now open and is about a 15-20 min drive from
the old location which was near 2nd Circle across from the Intercontin-
ental Hotel.  The phone number for the new embassy is 820101.  When I
called the old number last week it rang until it timed out.  I tried
several times calling the old number before finally hiring a taxi to go
over to the new "Mega-Embassy" complex myself.  It is a BIG place.

Fred
From: Ron_Mackenzie@mindlink.bc.ca (Ron Mackenzie)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: hostels/guesthouses, Seattle and Victoria
Date: 1 Sep 92 00:56:53 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

Vancouver? there is a popular youth hostel in a park on the beach about half
way between downtown Vancouver and the University of B.C.  It would be about
twenty minutes by easy bus from the city centre, and about ten minutes by car.
Nice area.  Good luck.
From: garrett@Ingres.COM (QUOTE OF THE YEAR)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Bringing munchies to France
Summary: Am wanting to bring snacks to France, OK?
Keywords: France, food
Date: 31 Aug 92 21:23:38 GMT
Organization: ASK Computer Systems, Ingres Product Division
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1

In article <markl.715106832@bucket>, markl@bucket.rain.com (Mark Lill writes...
>Greetings:
>I am going to France in three days, and
>want to bring granola, nuts, salami, dried
>fruit, M&M's so that i don't get totally
>pounded trying to buy food with my withered
>greenbacks.  Will customs allow me to bring in
>ten or so pounds of food?
>Are there any prohibited items?
>Thanks in advance.
>Best,

I spent some time in Paris a few months ago, and if you don't spend
some time in their bakeries, eating their version of munchies them you
are really cheating yourself. 
From my limited experience, the restaurants are very overpriced, but
their bakeries are out of this world and are suprisingly cheap too.
You can get a long-bread for 4 or 5 francs. Most of their bakery
munchies are 15 francs or under, and with a bottle of wine and cheese
you have a meal for 2 for not much more than you would spend for a 
meal for one here.
I'm a shoe-string budget college student as well, so I know what
you mean when it comes to stretching your buck.

-Garrett
From: mth@pttnms.ewi.ch (Thomas Maurer)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Best way from Seattle to Victoria
Date: 26 Aug 1992 10:16:19 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu
X-Unparseable-Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 14:13:47 MET DST

Dear Netters

I'm from Switzerland and I will visist a few friends all over the US
and Vancouver Island in Sept/Oct.

Please answer by e-mail because I mailed this to a public USENET server.
(addr: mth@ewi.ch in case the "from" points to the server)

My problem: The best way from Seattle Airport to Victoria by car.

I will have to fly to Seattle because my air-pass does not allow flights
going outside of the US. Now I plan to rent a car at Seattle airport and
drive up to Victoria. I checked my Rand mc Nally atlas. There are several
ferries from the mainland to Vancouver Island. Just from the map the route
via Port Angeles seems to be the most convenient.
I will drive on Saturday Sept 26. Maybe this matters because of seasonal/
weekend service.

- What way would you suggest in general?
- How frequent will the various ferries operate on weekends in late Sept.?
- How expensive are they?
- Are there any problems with customs?

Thanks in advance for any answer.

Thomas Maurer (mth@ewi.ch)
(Sorry, no signature)
From: "stephanie fysh" <stephanie.fysh@canrem.com>
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: cirrus/mastercard?
Date: 3 Sep 92 12:49:50 EST
Reply-To: "stephanie fysh" <stephanie.fysh@canrem.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Canada Remote Systems

Yet another banking machines in Europe question:

My most recent Bank of Montreal MasterCard statement includes the
following notice:

        "Most Cirrus banking machines in Europe do not allow withdrawals
        from bank accounts when using your MasterCard.  Such MasterCard
        transactions are treated as cash advances."

I assume that this means that I will have to travel with my credit card
*and* with a separate bank machine card.  Being no wizard about such
things, I wouldn't mind some confirmation!  Do the regular bank cards
include Cirrus and suchlike?  Will this get me through Great Britain,
Normandy and Brittany OK?

- Stephanie.
---
  SLMR 2.1a  My Canada includes a distinct Quebec.
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario/Detroit, MI
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
From: rforster@galaxy.gov.bc.ca (Russ Forster)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Resort Condominiums International???
Date: 4 Sep 92 11:09:59 -0700
Organization: BC Systems Corporation

	I've been asked to give more information on just what is RCI.
	Since I'm working on my first exchange, I don't feel fully qualified on
	answering this question.  Could someone please take the bull by the
	horns and explain 'just what is RCI anyways?'

begin forwarded note:


>Russ Forster 389-3186 writes:
>
>
>Hi,
>
>       RCI stands for Resort Condominiums International.  There is also
>        Interval International.  Most Time-share organisations are
>        affiliated with one of these two companies.  What this allows you
>        to do is trade your week or a week any where in the world.  There
>        is a great sales pitch for this whole thing.  I can supply you more
>        information if you wish.

Thanx for your response, and yes plese supply me with more info.


-Sivesh

end forwarded note:

-- 
Regards,

Russ Forster (postmaster), Sr. Technical Analyst, MultiVendor Group
BC Systems Corp., 4000 Seymour Place, Victoria, B.C., V8X 4S8
Internet: RForster@Galaxy.Gov.BC.CA       Phone: (604) 389-3186
Xref: sparky rec.travel:12689 soc.culture.usa:7022
From: gcf@panix.com (Gordon Fitch)
Newsgroups: rec.travel,soc.culture.usa
Subject: Re: Loud irritating obtrusive American tourists.
Date: 1 Sep 92 04:04:56 GMT
Organization: mydog in exile

| 
gcf@panix.com (Gordon Fitch) writes:
| |> If Americans are resented abroad, the resenters certainly seem to
| |> keep it to themselves.  As a tourist, I've been reasonably well
| |> treated everywhere I've been, and I haven't observed any obvious
| |> anti-Americanism.  Maybe people store it up for Usenet.

kevinh@hslrswi.hasler.ascom.ch writes:
| Do you expext every local resident to storm up to these annoying tourists 
| and inform them how loud, annoying and irritating they are?? I'd never
| have any time for anything else :-)

Actually, the only derogatory remarks I heard about tourists
were from other tourists.  People complaining that the Louvre
was full of Swedes and that the Germans took too many back-
packs on the busses, that sort of thing.  American tourists
are apparently mostly rather passive, except of course for
those who know the language and go to earth immediately.
-- 
 )*(    Gordon Fitch    )*(    gcf@panix.com    )*(
( 1238 Blg. Grn. Sta.,  NY NY 10274 * 718.273.5556 )
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: Edward_Lunny@mindlink.bc.ca (Edward Lunny)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Island of Santorini, Greece.
Date: 29 Aug 92 15:07:54 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

This island was the most commercial of all the 5 islands we visited in May of
this year. It is beautiful but there are a few drawbacks.
1. beaches are nice but harder to get to because of the mountainous terrain.
Some of the beaches are black from volcanic ash and I found hot on the feet.
2. Mopeds are cheap but the problem is their general condition. Helmets are
rare and accidents are frequent.
3. Accomadation is apparently easy to find in October as It was in May. July
and August are the main seasons.
But for breathtaking views it is spectacular.
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 11:10:50 -0400 
From: Steve_Lammert@transarc.com
Subject: Re: Loud irritating obtrusive American tourists.

frank2@underdog.ee.wits.ac.za (FRANK D N) writes:
> It has been my experience when travelling abroad that the majority 
> of American tourists are loud, obtrusive and selfish....

Make sure you don't miss yesterday's Page 1, Column 1 story in the
Wall Street Journal about an American family in Paris....

S
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: mscott@bohr.ssc.gov (Mike Scott)
Subject: Island of Santorini, Greece.
Reply-To: mscott@bohr.ssc.gov (Mike Scott)
Organization: Superconducting Super Collider Lab
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 13:19:33 GMT

	In October my wife and I will be taking a trip to
Greece.  We wanted to enjoy a couple of days on one of the
Greek islands and, after some research, we decided to fly
from Athens and spend some time on Santorini.  We chose this
island because of its apparent beauty and relaxing atmosphere.
I would like to know if anybody else has been there, and if so,
what did you think of it?  Any particular recommendations on where
to stay?  Also, how do you typically get around on these islands,
car or moped?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Mike Scott
From: parsons@doc.bmd.trw.com
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Day trips to Mexico from San Diego
Date: 4 Sep 92 14:45:35 MST
Distribution: usa

kjhart@pacbell.com writes
> Once you get thru TJ, stay on the toll road until you reach a little
> town called Puerto Nuevo,  its on your right.

I would suggest that you get off the toll road at Rosarito and take the old 
road to Puerto Nuevo.  To do this take the second Rosarito exit go to the
main street and take a left at the ALTO (stop) sign.  This is the old road.
This eliminates the second toll and allows your to drive by a great bar
and resturant Calafia (sp?).  This is a must! To or from Puerto Nuevo stop
at this place.  Calafia is on the right(west) half way to Puerto Nuevo
and has a whale as a logo Ihs a coble stone drive. Don't miss it!
It is getting very touristy but It has table all the way
down the cliff and is a great place to sit at take in some beauty and sun

>  Go into any one of the little restaurants there and eat LOBSTER!!  Its cheap
> and good, then wash it down with cold Carta Blancas.

I would suggest that the larger more commerical outfits are not as cheep
and not as good ( and the kitchens are not cleener as you would expect), 
so try one of the mom and pop places.
 
> After that, go to Rosarito.  Drink the margaritas at the Rosarito
> Beach Hotel.  Be careful, you'll get sauced on those puppies in no time!

Also try the specility drinks at the bar in the back of the hotel
(between the pool and the beach). By the way the Beach Hotel is right 
, on your right where you take the left on the main street from the toll road.

Other great places in Rosorito are Nenos (steaks), Los Pelicanos (food
drink, and view), Papas and beer (vollyball bar), Rock N Roll Taco
(loud music, dancing, swimming pool bar).

Many good times were had in these places. Have fun.



Please do not grade this on the spelling in eather language


Mark Parsons
mark_parsons@oz.bmd.trw.com
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Tuesday, 1 Sep 1992 10:24:09 CDT
From: Tom Ascher <U15310@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: HELP - DIRECTORY OF TOUR OPERATORS?

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a directory/guide to
tour operators?  If so, how would I get a copy?  Thanks!
From: icarus!mbu@fokus.gmd.de (M. Burak)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Spring water in Germany
Date: 26 Aug 92 10:34:39 GMT
Organization: GMD-Fokus (Berlin)


 Elizabeth Schwartz writes:



>Hmm, I only was in small stores, train stations, and liquor stores.
>The shopkeepers told me it was legally required to sell water in
>reusable glass bottles. Perhaps this is a new law, or perhaps it is a law
>restricted to take-away places? Anyone in Germany know?

Thats right, it is a new law that should restrict the amount of plastic waste
in Germany. Therefore plastic bottles are replaced by *light* glass bottles or
by reusable plastic bottles.


--
Markus Burak 				burak@fokus.gmd.dbp.de
National Research Corporation		voice: +49-30-25499-262
for					FAX: +49-30-25499-202/168
Mathematics and Data Processing
(GMD-FOKUS)
Berlin Germany
	
		Research Center for Open Communication Systems
From: ap25+@andrew.cmu.edu (Antoinette Powell)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: So. Italy tour
Date: 2 Sep 92 15:16:28 GMT
Organization: University Libraries - Public Services, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

Has anyone taken a good tour through Central-Southern Italy?  I'm
looking for an organized tour (all transport and accomodations included)
at the beginning of November.  Perillo Tours was suggested.  Thanks.

Antoinette Powell (ap25+@andrew.cmu.edu)
From: LJ09735@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM (JEFF)
Subject: Re: ? Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Organization: O/19-61
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 92 02:53:52 GMT

In article <29106@option.GBA.NYU.EDU>, smezias@option.GBA.NYU.EDU (Stephen J. Mezias) writes:
> 
> In article <l9idphINNhro@cronkite> tad.davis@sun.com writes:
> 
> >My wife are I are planning a trip to Tuxtla Gutierrez during November.  I
> >would appreciate tips on places to stay, eat, things to do, etc.  We plan
> >to visit the Sumadero Canyon and a couple of other national parks during
> >out stay.  We'd also be interested in a doing a little Christmas shopping
> >if there are any good bargains we should be aware of.
> 
> (1) Great Indian crafts available in San Cristobal, a short ride away.
> 
> (2) We went to Puerto Arista in November, 1985 midweek and loved it.
> The place was empty with miles of beautiful beaches.
> 
> SJM
> 
> 

I travelled through Chiapas last October and made a stop in Tuxtla.  My
recollections of the place were that it was extremely hot/humid and that there
was not that much to see in town. The surrounding area,though, has much to
offer.  Here are a couple of suggestions......

* San Cristobal de las Casas is approx 2 hrs by bus East of Tuxtla.  It has
many stores where you can get decent prices on local handicrafts.  There is
also a large market on, I believe, Saturday on the grounds of the church about
4 blocks North of the zocalo (town square).  There was a great selection of
items and the vendors were quite willing to bargin.  A nice (cheap!) place
to stay is La Casa de Hespuedes Margarita which is a few block East of Zocalo
and offers nice, clean rooms, hot water for bathing, a restaurant with live
local music in the evenings etc, etc.  They also change money at the office
and offer better rates than several of the banks in town!!  

* Puerto Arista is nice.  There is a place that rents cabanas (can't recall
the name now) that is run by a Canadian couple that is really neat.

* Significantly further that Puerto Arista is Puerto Angel.  I highly 
recommend this place.  It's a neat little town on a scenic inlet.  Warm water
and beautiful beaches abound in all directions.  One of special note is 
Playa Zipolite which is about 30 min walk west of town.  A good place to stay
in town is La Casa de Hespuedes Gundi y Tomas.  It's just up the hill behind 
the bus stop.  

Enjoy your trip!  I hope you like Chiapas as much as I did!!

Buen Viaje!!!

-Jeff Schaefer
 LJ09735@lmsc5.is.lmsc.lockheed.com
From: jdnicoll@watyew.uwaterloo.ca (James Davis Nicoll)
Subject: Re: Loud irritating obtrusive tourists.
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 14:59:09 GMT

	Dunno about *annoying*, but the silliest questions seem to come
from tourists. This is probably because they have a better chance of being
poorly informed about  the place  they are visiting than locals. Two
examples stick out in my mind:

	1: My sweetie worked in an art gallery where a patron became upset
		over  the mistreatment of Canadian mammoths (People have
		been  known  to carve the tusks), since the  patron didn't
		realise mistreatment of mammoths is a dead  issue.

	2: A doctor, presumably licensed to practice  medicine and  who
		must have taken *some*  bio  courses, wanted to know  if
		seals have bones.

							James Nicoll
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Re: Hotel Esmeralda in Paris
Keywords: Paris Hotel
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 23:53:31 GMT

matt@tfs.com (Matthew Hom) wrote: 
->I'm in the process of making reservations for 4 nights at the Esmeralda Hotel
->in Paris. It's in the left bank and the description from Frommer's
->"Paris on $45 a day" seems fairly nice.
->
->	"The Hotel Esmeralda, with its beamed ceilings and stone walls,
->	has considerable charm and an excellent location. But what attracts
->	visitors from all over the world are the views of the Notre Dame,
->	obliquely across the little Square Rene'-Vivani...."
->
->I'm trying to get a double, with shower, toilet, and a view. They are
->asking 450F ($99). Any thoughts?

how old is your "Paris on $45/day?" :)  looks like prices have gone up
... but the price does sound fairly reasonable (you can do better; see
"cheap sleeps in paris" or somesuch ... but you may have to do
something icky, like share communal shower/bath facilities, or book in
a hotel where the staff isn't english-speaking ... )

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
Newsgroups: rec.travel,rec.travel.air