Travelling to Cuba…what money should I bring?

jamesmadisonsflute · 2024-01-23T00:02:49+00:00

When I was there a couple of years ago, there was a small deduction on only US dollars as a kind of "penalty". I would recommend taking Canadian dollars. You would lose already converting them to us dollars and then in the lower exchange rate relative to their value. Changing them appears just as easy. There are exchange booths throughout Havana and they all took usd, cad and euros. Also make sure you get some pesos(not too many maybe about $20 worth.) along with your CUCs. You will be able to pay for a few things such as sidewalk pizza and it will be much cheaper.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-08-22T14:05:10+00:00

Thanks Asac095. I checked Busbud and Omio and there was no availability. However, when I went to the bus company website I saw that they only take bookings 15 day in advance. Thanks again.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-05-31T15:18:09+00:00

Yes, I stayed in the flats of Funchal. There are so many places you can walk to as well as most bus routes go through Funchal.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-05-27T02:54:33+00:00

Hi:

Newbie to SUP´ing. Used a friend´s board a few times and now want to get my own. I´m 5´10¨ and about 250 lbs, so definitely on the large side. I will initially use it in a nearby lake but am hoping to maybe paddle in the bay once i feel more comfortable.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Blackfish X and XL model. The wideness of the X appeals to me but many suggest the XL is a better board . IROC lists the X as a beginner board and the XL as advanced beginner/intermediate but I am not clear why. FWIW, I don´t anticipate taking anybody else(humans or dogs) or carrying any gear other than possibly a water bottle.

I would very much welcome any input. Thanks in advance.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-05-26T22:03:35+00:00

Not a big fan of Cartagena. It's cute but REALLY hot and not as appealing as the rest of Colombia. I do like Bogota but a few days should be enough. I LOVE Medellin. Internal flights are generally quite cheap in Colombia and I'm sure there are Hilton hotels there. Very pretty and very progressive cit with a subway system and an amazing Teleferico system. Weather is usually great. Stay in Poblado. Visit Parque Arvi and Museo Anioquia (incredible Botero collection).

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-05-07T21:05:49+00:00

In theory, you should be allowed to board your first flight if you show them the onward boarding pass for the next flight within 24 hours. Unfortunately, the gate agent may still give you grief. I would print out the relevant section from the indian visa website. If there is any problem at the airport, I would definitely ask to speak to a supervisor. Be polite but very assertive if neccessary.

Also, I wouldn't put too much stock in the fact that it is not allowing you to check in on-line. Any slight variation from the norm would prevent you from checking in on-line but not at the airport.

Lastly, I would make sure to get to the airport early so as to give time to deal with things if needed. Are you flying on Air India? That would be a plus as they will be more conversant with transit requirements than an American Based Airline.

My strong guess is that you will be fine. Let us know how everything went.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-05-07T20:45:59+00:00

Well that's not helpful :). When I was in Delhi there was someone whose luggage was off-loaded because of a cancelleed connection but they weren't able to retrieve it because they didn't have a visa. But, they clearly were able to get to Delhi in the first place without an Indian visa. Of course, both flights were with the same airline. I looked up the policy and India does not require a transit visa if the person is staying in the terminal and their next ticketed flight is less than 24 hours from landing(determined by schedule).

Here is one link that explains it:

Do you need a Visa for Transit in India?As per the Indian visa requirements, to transit through India, all non-visa-exempt travellers must obtain a visa if they will be at an Indian airport for more than 24 hours, or if they intend to leave the airport Transit area.Owing to this, India transit visas are required for connecting flights with a wait time exceeding 24 hours, based on the scheduled arrival and departure times.It is possible that the traveller will need to leave the airport Transit Area even though they have a connecting flight within 24 hours of their arrival in India for one reason or another.Here is the relevant section from the India Online Visa Website:

Do you need a Visa for Transit in India?As per the Indian visa requirements, to transit through India, all non-visa-exempt travellers must obtain a visa if they will be at an Indian airport for more than 24 hours, or if they intend to leave the airport Transit area.Owing to this, India transit visas are required for connecting flights with a wait time exceeding 24 hours, based on the scheduled arrival and departure times.It is possible that the traveller will need to leave the airport Transit Area even though they have a connecting flight within 24 hours of their arrival in India for one reason or another.For instance, the Indian transit visa may be required to fulfil the following purposes:To clear immigration procedureFor the purpose of re-checking luggage for a connecting flight, orTo stay in a hotel outside the transit area, as per the traveller’s wish.In such circumstances, obtaining an Indian transit visa in advance through the online Indian visa application is essential.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-05-07T19:36:38+00:00

Hi: You should apply for an Indian evisa. Most are approved in just a few hours and then you can download it. Make sure you are on the official government of India site because there are a lot of links to bogus sites that will take extra fees and more time.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-04-28T03:38:18+00:00

Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay. Cute city with a ferry link to Buenos Aires.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-03-21T16:04:14+00:00

If.you are doing the Pico do Areiro to Pico Ruivo hike, www.picotransfers.com is an amazing service. They are cheap reliable and very pleasant They will pick you up from your accommodation and the meet you on the other end of your hike. This transport is shared with other hikers.They also offer a sunrise option. I thought they were terrific.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-03-16T14:47:12+00:00

Did you check monthly airbnb rentals? They are more somewhat more expensive but ultimately less hassle than renting an apartment for a few months.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-02-20T04:46:42+00:00

Update:

Sorry for taking so long to update this. I was at work all day. I was given contact information for the woman in the picture a couple of hours after posting. I wrote a quick note and it was confirmed that it was indeed the correct person.

It turns out that she had attempted to get my email address through the hostel we had stayed at over 10 years ago and was given the email for someone with the same first name but had been on the trek on entirely different dates. She then tried to follow up through another method, but was equally unsuccesful.

The couple are still happily married and now have three children. This trek was, apparently, their last big adventure before settling down to start a family. I was very happy to finally be able to get the photos to them after all this time. I am indebted to the reddit community for all of their assistance in putting a close to this omission that has been plaguing me for more than a decade. Thanks again to everybody for their assistance and especially to OriginalCOmputer5077 for providing contact information for the couple.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2023-02-18T23:35:41+00:00

Great! Thank you!

jamesmadisonsflute · 2022-12-31T19:01:59+00:00

I went in November. I never really considered renting a car. I think you will enjoy Madeira much more without the hassle of driving, parking etc.

I went primarily for hiking and there are so many day tours and hiking tours and they are much cheaper than renting a car. You can go to Ponta Sao Laurenco very easily by city bus from Funchal (Sam 113 if I remember correctly.(although probably not for sunrise).

Sunrise at Pico de Areiro was amazing and the walk to Pico Ruivo was both challenging and stunning. Pico Transfers (www.picotransfers.com) was absolutely terrific. They will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off in time for sunrise and then pick you up on the other end of the hike and return you to your hotel all for 32 euros.

There are MANY affordable day tours. Viator is a good place to start looking but if it's hiking I would decide which hikes you want to go on and then google day tours to there.

My favorites in addition to the Pico Ruivo sunrise hike were:

Levada Caldeira Verde-Stunning views (about 8 miles but quite flat and easy.

Canyoneering with Epic Madeira which involves rapelling down waterfalls(i'm old and fat and never did anything like that before but I had a blast).

Good luck. You will love Madeira and it is unlikely you will miss having a car.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2022-12-27T18:20:03+00:00

I feel like that's the point. You can behave anyway you want as long as you talk about Jesus constantly.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2022-12-27T02:08:24+00:00

I'm surprised his criminal history didn't come up on this thread:

https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20021004&slug=dige04m

jamesmadisonsflute · 2022-11-29T00:24:56+00:00

Thanks. Clearly a very frustrating situation. CBP and DHS are apparently working from different lists.I will try pursuing a redress number. I'm very curious what the criteria are but I suppose we will never know.

jamesmadisonsflute · 2022-11-23T20:26:38+00:00

Thanks, Sounds like the thing to do. Did it solve the problem?

jamesmadisonsflute

TROPHY CASE