Wikivoyage:Tourist office/Archives/2014/October

Should I visit Nepal?

Asked by: Ashesh.bhusal (talk) 14:25, 23 September 2014 (UTC) Hi 🙋 there I was thinking 😔 to visit Nepal.[reply]
I heard that Nepal is the best place for mountain biking 🚲🎄.
What should I do? Should I visit Nepal or not?

Hi! Until someone familiar with the country can answer your question, check out Nepal#Mountain_Biking for some very basic suggestions about mountain biking in Nepal. ϒpsilon (talk) 14:49, 23 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Ashesh.bhusal, it look like you're actually from Nepal. --Saqib (talk) 10:22, 1 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

to travel Nairobi from Qatar -Doha

i am a pakistani from qatar i want to travel keniya niarobi ...how many hours need by airplane ... around cost of travel ... visa required or not ...i am in qatar from 39 year. please help. Asked by: 37.208.164.82 10:05, 1 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hello. As a Pakistani passport holder, you'll be required to get Kenyan visa in advance from Kenya Embassy in Doha. There're daily 2 flights between Doha and Kenyan capital city Nairobi operated by Qatar Airways and flight takes 5 hours. Thank for using Wikivoyage! --Saqib (talk) 10:13, 1 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Best way to rent a flat for three weeks in New Orleans

I would like to spend a longer vacation in New Orleans, as a pedestrian in the city, learning about it in a way that one cannot when in a hotel for a few days. I have had no luck finding something through the postings on Craigslist, which was my first and my only idea. Have you any suggestions?

Asked by: 82.232.210.181 04:42, 27 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

You can always try AirBNB. Have a look at HomeAway, too. Ikan Kekek (talk) 23:15, 1 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

According to Trip Advisor, there are currently 173 rentals available in New Orleans ranging from around 100 dollars per night to over a 1,000 depending on the number of bedrooms and baths you are searching for and the size/ age of the apartment or house. www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentals-g60864-Reviews-New_Orleans_ Louisiana-Vacation_Rentals.html Curbed, shows on their website the top ten neighborhoods to rent in in New Orleans. This list is based off of Walkscore's data, density of violent crimes via the New Orleans Police Department's crime map, and the availability of rentals on Craigslist. The site also shows the average price for a rental in each neighborhood so you would know what you can afford before you even start looking there. nola.curbed.com/.../the-10-best-neighborhoods-for-renters-in-new-orleans. php FlipKey, a website run by Trip Advisor can help you find the cheapest rentals, if money is what you are mainly concerned about. The site has rentals starting at 95$ a night and you can book quickly and easily. The site has many reviews as well so you may see other opinions. www.flipkey.com/new-orleans-vacation-rentals/g60864/ Ashleycaitlin93 (talk) 23:43, 8 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Where I again give luggage upon arrival in Frankfurt flying on to Phoenix US Airways??

Asked by: 83.5.192.60 12:50, 9 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, I didn't understand your question..? At Frankfurt there are baggage drop-offs and baggage claims just like at any major airport, marked by signs. If you are transferring in Frankfurt, luggage you've checked in at the departure airport is automatically transferred to your connecting flight, again, just like at any major airport. ϒpsilon (talk) 15:59, 9 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Is Suriname safe to travel?

I like to visit Suriname for a few days. I plan to stay in Paramaribo, the capital and Wanica and I don't intend to go the jungle region or the interior. I'm a Canadian and I plan to rent a hotel room there. Is the tap water safe to drink there? Is it safe to travel ALONE there? Asked by: 199.7.157.58 03:02, 24 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Articles here that may help are Suriname, Paramaribo and perhaps Tips for travel in developing countries.

As a general rule, anywhere that the tap water is dubious there will be bottled water readily available. In some places, checking the seal is a wise precaution. Pashley (talk) 03:23, 24 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

If there is no available bottled water, then I will bring a small kettle to boil some tap water for myself. Is that alright? 199.119.233.172 03:02, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Boiling tap water will definitely make it more safe, but it won't make it completely safe. Iodine tablets will make water safer still.

That said, I would personally assume bottled water is available if I went there. -Andrewssi2 (talk) 03:26, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Also ensure the seal on the bottled water is not 'helpfully' opened for you before being brought to your table in a restaurant. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 03:35, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

In general, boiling water will get rid of bacteria but won't get rid of chemical contaminants, salt/sulphur or anything other than nasty germs. K7L (talk) 13:13, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I believe JuliasTravels and WiDi who wrote up Paramaribo to OtBP a while ago have personal experience of Suriname. Personally, in a developing country in the tropics, I would drink bottled drinks only (water or juice, soft drinks, beer or whatever). ϒpsilon (talk) 16:48, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Regarding the water problem: you can use a Life straw water purifier. I have never tried it, but it seems to be very useful. If I can't nominate a product because it's considered an advertisement, please delete my comment. --Lkcl it _(Talk) 17:12, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I have visited several developing countries, and I will never drink tap water unless it is extremely necessary. Bottled water is available everywhere in Suriname. Eating ice creams or salads strongly depends on your accumulated resistance. If you are going for the first time be careful but not paranoid because first of all, enjoy your stay. Experiencing any risk is an inherent factor when visiting a developing country. --WiDi (talk) 18:53, 25 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Are there many taxis and shuttle buses at Johan Adolf International Airport or are there a few taxis there and I need to wait for a long time? Do I need to book a taxi or shuttle to pick me up at the airport? 199.119.233.177 13:20, 27 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I was told water in Paramaribo city is safe to drink, but in other areas it's not. However, bottled water is cheap and available all around, so no need for you to bring a kettle really. I wouldn't advise drinking the tap water though and since they put chlorine in it for purification, it's not very tasty either. I've travelled alone in Suriname extensively and would say it's a fairly safe country. It's unlikely for you to encounter any dangerous situations, but mind your belongings and - preferably - don't take too many valuables as theft is not unheard of. I think there are some normal buses from the airport to the city, but they don't run too often, as far as I know. Then there's one or two bus companies that run "luxury" coaches. You can reserve a seat online and a one way trip should cost about 20 US dollar or so. You can book a minivan too, but that's way more expensive and not that much better imho. This is one. Taxi drivers are waiting for you when you arrive but make sure to negotiate the price before you get in, as they will charge really high amounts after arrival, if you don't. Hope this helps. JuliasTravels (talk) 22:23, 27 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for all your comments. I need Surinamese currency. Will there be any currency exchange booth at the Johan Adolf Airport? Do they accept Canadian money or do they only accept US dollars and Euro? Is it okay to use credit cards in Suriname? 199.119.233.138 04:07, 30 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I've never been to Suriname. Closest I've been is Colombia and Panama. However from personal experience the US Dollar is pretty much used everywhere in Latin America, and you can probably use them for goods and services instead of the local currency in many scenarios. Canadian dollars I guess you would have to exchange at the airport, and you'd probably get a better exchange rate from your bank in Canada before you go. Andrewssi2 (talk) 14:36, 30 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, it's not allowed to import more than 100 SRD into Suriname, so changing at home is not a good idea for Suriname. Most foreign banks will not even exchange them for you at home. Fortunately however, there is an ATM (Maestro & Cirro cards are accepted) and an exchange boot at the airport. You're free to bring foreign currency in with you, like USD or Euros. I'm not sure if Canadian Dollars can be changed locally though, or if the rate would be any good. As Andrewssi2 said, like in several other Latin American countries, it's sometimes possible to pay directly in USD for larger bills, like tours or hotels. It's quite common to be approached on the streets with offers to change money for you. Don't do it. The best rates, in my experience, were at local cambio's, the registered money exchange shops. Make sure to ask for smaller bills too, as changing 100 SRD bills can sometimes be problematic in smaller places. At the end of your holiday, make sure to use or change back the SRD you have left over. It's also illegal to export larger amounts plus banks at home might not change it back.

Major credit cards are accepted in the large, upscale hotels and by some large tour operators, but are surely not as widely accepted as they are in Canada or the US, so always check and just carry some cash on you too. I've never heard of problems using credit cards other than them not being accepted. If in doubt, best to check with your card company before you go. Keep in mind that ATM's are less plentiful outside of the main tourist spots. Enjoy your trip! JuliasTravels (talk) 20:37, 30 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Water Topic

I was thinking this would make a good topic called... Water Andrewssi2 (talk) 14:36, 30 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Just looking at some articles such as

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/suriname.html,

https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=16202

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america--antarctica/suriname.aspx

You can infer that Suriname isn't necessarily a walk in the park especially if your a tourist but I would say it's nothing to deter you from visiting. I believe it also depends on what kind of background you come from, some people might come from bad inner city places and might have a different outlook on the word "safe" compared to someone that might have grown up in the suburbs. I personally believe you are going to have some chance of being in danger whenever you are going out of the country, the reason I say this is because you are more than likely a prime target since you aren't familiar with the area and which parts are bad and good, you might not be familiar with the language and how people in that specific area act. Pfitzgerald31 (talk) 20:56, 2 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I went to a bookstore and read a travel book about South America. It says that Paramaribo tends to be safer than Georgetown,Guyana and Cayenne. 199.7.157.49 18:05, 11 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Currency in China

what is the best currancy to take to china on holiday Asked by: 86.168.226.100 06:39, 2 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Why would you take any? Do you have an ATM card that works in international machines? If you're planning to go to a Chinese city that has a lot of foreign visitors, you are unlikely to have trouble finding ATMs you can use to withdraw Yuan. Ikan Kekek (talk) 06:54, 2 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

If you are looking for to carry an ATM card, you must make sure that it has a plus, money pass, or interlink symbol on the back. These symbols indicate whether or not you can use an ATM overseas. If you're not looking to take a ATM card than you can always carry travelers checks, or transfer you money to the Chinese Yuan, or if you're just going to Hong Kong you can use Hong Kong dollars. It would be in the best interest to carry Yuan because Hong Kong dollars can not be used in the mainland of China only in Hong Kong. - Will Nwaokolo

http://generationpassport.com/2013/02/23/banking-credit-debit-and-atm-cards-overseas/ http://www.xe.com/currency/cny-chinese-yuan-renminbi gohongkong.about.com/od/travelplanner/a/dollar_hk.htm —The preceding comment was added by Will.nwaokolo (talk • contribs)

And if you don't have a card/don't want to use it, the Chinese yuan itself is not such an exotic currency and I think it can be exchanged in most parts of the world. Also check out China#Buy. ϒpsilon (talk) 20:54, 3 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

To answer the specific question, Chinese Renminbi (also known as Yuan) is the only currency of practical use within mainland China itself. Other major currencies such as US Dollars and Euros will be of little or no use. Japanese Yen and Hong Kong dollars may be of use in some limited circumstances in some tourist locations. Major hotels will exchange major foreign currencies.

In terms of credit cards, if your bank is able to arrange it then a UnionPay credit card would be very useful in China. Otherwise Mastercard and Visa may be of general use. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 14:29, 12 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It looks like Visa/MC/Amex/Discover have to go through UnionPay's network when transacting yuan in mainland China in any case, as the latter holds a network monopoly domestically. K7L (talk) 16:03, 12 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Ahmad Tea

مرحبا
I'm looking for a true authentic Londoner modern cuisine .
Where can I find an Ahmad Tea branch in London? Asked by: Exx8 (talk) 11:41, 18 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It looks like w:Ahmad Tea http://www.ahmadtea.com is on Winchester Rd, Chandlers Ford, Southampton SO53 2PZ where it operates an office and a Tea Museum http://chandlersfordtoday.co.uk/tea-museum-ahmed-tea-in-chandlers-ford/ K7L (talk) 12:34, 18 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Air travel from USA to Balboa, Panama

I would like to know the easiest air travel method to fly into Balboa, Panama from the USA. Would I fly out of LA or Houston directly to Balboa, or would I have to change flights along the way? Asked by: Oggan123 (talk) 23:20, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hi! It looks like you can fly directly from LA and Houston to Panama City's international airport, Tocumen. Being a part of Panama City, you can probably get from there to Balboa. Balboa airport, on the other hand, seems to be a short-haul airport with almost only domestic flights. ϒpsilon (talk) 15:21, 21 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

komodo national park

we want to visit the park with a ranger visiting by ship nov 30 can we teake tender from ship to shore then go to park rangers office and join a tour ? how far is park entrance/rangers office from tender port and how long do tours /treks last thank you roger cousins Asked by: 124.148.195.14 07:08, 24 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hi! Until someone more familiar with the area shows up, you might want to check out our article on Komodo National park. ϒpsilon (talk) 06:30, 25 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Universal Studios Harry Potter

What is the ground transportation available to get into the park? Are there buses and if so, what is the cost and how is the traffice getting into the park? Asked by: Coralie Norwell~ 67.186.65.178 23:32, 29 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]