TheTravelNook.com

My bf and I are planing a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks late May or early June.

We’re planning on staying for about 4-5 days. We want to stay in a hotel, lodge, cabin.

Any recommendations?

GET RESERVATIONS! I drove threw there last June and drove for 4 hours before I found a campsite or hotel that had vacancy. Stay in Jackson Hole if you like nice hotels and lodges, most of the places to stay near Yellowstone are Campsites. Even if you dont stay in Jackson Hole, GO VISIT, that place is one of the most beautiful spots in America!

For over ten years I have noticed classified ads in the lost and found section (of the Detroit Free Press and others) for lost passports. What’s weird is that they are usually middle eastern, or sudanese, or sometimes they say Lebanon. They say something like "Lost Pakistan passport. Please call ‘Name and phone number’. Anyone else notice these ads? One thing for sure, it ain’t about lost passports – there’s way too many.

some countries require that you advertise to see if it get returned
and for some people getting a new one is a nightmare …anything is worth a try

I mean,instead of reading a real book(paper printed).You can read it online.You can select any items to be read as you purchase it from a store.

I would like it very much…the size of the font can be increased to a size that is easier to read if someone is having a harder time of reading the smaller print in books and even magazines.

Also many books that are no longer in print could be scanned and once again made available to read.

For many years I have wished I could access the copies of magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Popular Science from the 1920’s through today.

I for one would be very much in favour of such a resource.

I’m going to be traveling alone soon and I’m kinda nervouse and basically thinking of every flaw in flying alone…but do permanent retainers set off airport security things? Its kind of a small metal peice behind my bottom teeth…any idea if it is enough metal to set one off?

usually braces and retainers do not. If it does, no big deal. tell them what you have in your mouth, they wills weep you with the wand and when it doesn’t set off anywhere but at your mouth they’ll let you go through.

No worries, they are used to this type of thing as well as metal hips, plates and screws in body parts etc.

I am planning a trip to Japan from the US and was wondering if there is anything I should know as far as what to do and what not to do? What about cell phones would US Cellular work there?

Woah there! I’m not sure if I agree with all of the comments in the 1st answer above (each to their own though..lol).

It’s great you’ve chosen to come to Japan. It really is a fantastic country and its people are incredibly kind, generous and gracious hosts. To a foreign mindset, Japan’s social customs and traditions can often seem alien to Westerners. Don’t worry! Do you best not to prejudge or mock the way things are here. Some countries just do things a little differently to the West. Here’s a few tips I found useful before I came out, and some I’ve learnt while I have been here:-

When sightseeing…
– don’t blow your nose in public, for some reason this is considered VERY rude…if you really have to, do it in a toilet cubicle – preferably where nobody can hear or see you
– don’t eat, drink or smoke while walking
– don’t point within Buddhist temples, it’s considered rude, there will be signs in English saying where you can and can’t take photographs too
– some areas of Japan are quite conservative when it comes to women’s clothing. If you’re going to somewhere outside a big city – especially in the summer – don’t expose your midriff or cleavage…some people also find tattoos offensive [see 'onsen' below]. It depends where you go though!

When eating…
– the hot towel given to you a the beginning of the meal is for your hands, not your face
– don’t stick your chopsticks in your rice (Japanese do this to honour the dead)
– don’t pass food from person to person with chopsticks
– don’t lick the ends of your chopsticks
– eating all of your meal is fine (!)
– believe it or not…DON’T TIP WAITING STAFF.(or taxi drivers, or anyone for that matter)..it is not the custom in Japan and some even think it’s rude!

When staying at a Ryokan/more traditional hostel or someones house…

– be aware of where to take your shoes off, a lot of traditional Japanese accommodation does not allow outdoor shoes to be worn indoors (bring some slippers!)
– don’t wear your house slippers when you go to the WC, change into the toilet slippers provided (change them back when you finish!!!)

Generally…

– the Japanese bowing custom is very complicated. For foreigners, a gentle bow or a simple nod of the head and a little smile works wonders
– if you are offered a gift, receive it with 2 hands, if you are giving gift, give with 2 hands
– be careful about calling people by their given names…it’s usually simple to ask them what they would like you to call them! Lots of people will say their name followed by ‘-san’ is ok
– if you are going to a traditional Japanese hot spring (or ‘onsen’) be prepared to be turned away if you have tattoos…it varies widely from place to place but many onsen do not permit ANY, no-matter how small and insignificant you may think your ink is
– public displays of affection aren’t the norm here, nor is being overly ‘huggy’ – many Japanese will shake hands to be polite but will often be taken aback if you try to hug them. This does not mean that Japanese people are cold – they are just not used to doing it!

Your phone will not work over here. You can hire them in most cities. Tourist information or whoever is providing your accommodation should be able to give you more information about this.

A lot of the social ‘rules’ in Japan are the same as anywhere else in the world, so it doesn’t hurt to apply a bit of common sense to every situation: be polite, considerate and friendly to people and respectful of customs. Even if you do make a social faux-pas, people will usually understand because you are a foreigner! Japanese put a high value on people trying their best, so my advice is to remember a few of the no-nos but stay relaxed and friendly..you will meet a LOT of wonderful people here.

I hope you have a fantastic time wherever you chose to go in Japan. I can’t tell you how awesome this country is.

I need to find out from people who have recently visited from Mexico, what papers are the US borders accepting while passports are still being transmitted. For ex: passport receipts, birth certificate, i.d. picture…etc? Or are they charging any fines for not having the passports on time?

Thank you.

If it were me I would have the passport receipt AND birth certificate.

I need to know if anyone knows from EXPERIENCE if its cheaper to book a hotel online for Vegas hotels or at the hotel, the day off. I am looking at Treasure Island or whatever is on the strip.

The reason I ask is because I figure hotels need to unload hotel rooms the day off and I might be able to get it cheaper than booking online.

Several years ago they did just that. You would see on the giant screens outside the hotels rooms for a few dollars. They don’t do that anymore. The reason is they advertise the low rates in trying to get people to Vegas. Once you are here you either booked a room or will need one. Those who didn’t book will have to pay the higher price or go without. So it is in the better to book cycle that wait until we get there.

I have a flight on October 8th, 2009 and I am wondering if I am going to have to remove any facial piercings when going through the metal detector at the Airport for their security check point? I have 3 lip piercings. Any answers would be greatly appreciated, thank!

No you’ll be fine. And if it does go off odds are its not your piercing going off it’ll be something metal in your pockets. And if you are hand wanded they won’t run if over your face because they can see by looking at your face that you are not hiding anything in your lips. And you can always ask for a private screening or to not go through the metal detector at all (you can ask for a pat down instead) and if they try to tell you otherwise ask for a supervisor.

Bob is planning to pack 6 shirts and 4 pants for the trip. He has 8 shirts and 8 pants. How many different ways can this be done?

[from 8 shirts, choose 6]*[from 8 pants, choose 4]

= 8C6*8C4 = 1960

I will be travelling to Macau & Zhuhai next week. Would like to know is it safe to keep our passports in hotel room safe box or better to bring it along with us?

- If the hotel is a decent one, it should be safe.
- I have family in China and Macau, so I normally kept my Passports and majority of cash at my family/friend’s home if possible. I have kept some cash in China’s hotel safe box in room (RMB$4000 or so) during my trips for a few times. I never have any problem so far. I guess cash is more attractive to thiefs than a passport.
- I am sure there are some risk in both cases. If you are carrying them, you are at risk of pick pocket. If you leave them in safety box at hotel room, it is at risk of someone in hotel stealing it. So, I choose to be half and half for my money.
- You may want to leave your passport in hotel, but just remember always to carry around at least 1 form of other ID as driver license even that ID may not be valid in that country. (At least you have something to identify yourself. )
- The hotel may have a hotel staff managed safety box instead of a safety box in room. Some people may perfer this way.

You need your passport for sure when you are going from Macau to Zhuhai even you can walk accross the border. If you are staying at Hotel at Macau, and planning to have a same day trip to Zhuhai, you still need your Passport/VISA with you.