India, Part 5 – Khajuraho and Varanasi

Monday, April 25th, 2011

We’ve had a meaningful and fast paced last few days of our tour, first visiting Khajuraho, and then to Varanasi. We left Agra by train, and continued to Occhra to visit a fort. This huge palace, hand carved and built for one of the kings, was used by him only for one night. That’s it! The day we saw it, they were filming a movie there called Trees Speaking. Not sure if we got the title right but we asked our guide a few times and this is all we got. Watch for it coming to a theater soon. Rudyard Kipling (Jungle Book) stayed at the guest house at this palace for a while. Glad it got some use, since the King obviously didn’t get his money’s worth after building it.

Khajuraho was a hoot. Our “Kama Sutra Expert” showed us these uniquely carved temples (22 of them in all) built over a thousand years ago with tens of thousands of depictions of elephants, armies and sex, basically. Lots of questions and comments from the group…mostly from Barry.

Next we were off to Varanasi, the holiest city for Hindus. This is the place where the Ganges meets the Varuna River, and devout Hindus make pilgramages so that they can bathe in the Ganges, and many come to die here as well. Once a person has died, they march them through the streets of town and bring them down to the river banks to wash them and to have them creamated. We went to the cremation sight in the evening where several fires were burning. It is an erie feeling, and I was most concerned about seeing this on my trip. It is so foreign to what I know…what I have brought up with, that is was uncomfortable and scary, actually. Had it been our first stop in India, it would have been very hard to handle as our understanding of this country would not have unfolded yet. But by the time we had arrived here, and having had a lecture upon our arrival in Hinduism, we were somewhat prepared for what we were about to see.

The streets of Varanasi were filled with organized chaos, as is most of India. Walking down the street to get back to our bus, we walked in a single line as busses, cars, rickshaws, motorbikes, bicycles, livestock and mobs of people all were moving in various directions at different times. It was dizzying and provided sensory overload! Cows, goats, priests with bells, even a man walking with a staff followed by four huge geese were out in the streets walking with us. Crazy!

Early this morning, we came back to this sight, and it was a very different scene at sunrise. The streets were not as crazy, and we saw the pre-dawn scene unfolding, just as it has for a thousand years. All along the sides of the roads there were people sleeping, right next to sleeping cows. Goats and dogs were walking along the side of the road, and a monkey here and there as well. Along the Ganges, people were bathing in this holy water. It is a ritual that has been performed throughout the ages. In this same water, people were washing clothes, washing themselves and still, cremations were going on. Priests were praying. Monks were doing yoga and dogs were barking at monkeys in the trees. It was a very enlightening scene, and one that I will never forget.

This afternoon, we visited the birthplace of Buddhism, which had its beginnings in Hinduism. We learned about its beginnings, and saw the place that Buddha himself spoke to his followers. For the record, he was not fat. He was well proportioned. The Far East, never having seen Buddha, they gave him a huge tummy as they portrayed him as a prosperous soul.

My random visual moment of the day was of the local watering hole. People came to get clean water. They came with buckets, jugs and canisters so that they could have water. They pumped the water from below. As they were filling up their buckets, a dog was standing on a table, at the top of the water supply, lapping up the water with his tongue, just as happy as he could be. So much for clean water.

We have been here now for two weeks. I took a nap this afternoon (we got up at 4:30 am to watch the sun rise over the Ganges) and my dream included livestock walking down the street, just like in the streets below. I think it’s time to leave.

Our experience here in India will be life-changing, no doubt. We’ve formed some opinions now, however the true picture of what we saw and did, and the images of the people, the poverty, and the magic will unfold as we look at photos and relive our experiences. India is not for the casual traveler. It’s exotic, thought provoking and incredible, all at the same time. But both Barry and I agree this was one of the most memorable places we have seen to date, and will stay forever in our minds and in our hearts.

Tags: Ganges, India, Jewish singles tours, Khajuraho, Varanasi
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India, Part 4 – Agra

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

Taj Mahal

We arrived in Agra yesterday, home of the Taj Mahal. We woke up just before sunrise this morning, and left our hotel in the dark, headed for what was to be the highlight of the trip, the Taj Mahal. I was particularly excited about seeing this great work of art, from the architectural detail I had studied so many years ago while in college. And, in addition, knowing it was one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, and has graced the front covers of so many travel magazines and brochures throughout my career. With each step we took closer to the main gates, I was hoping it wouldn’t be disappointing, after the years of build up. It did not disappoint. After getting a brief history of the love story between a king who created it for his queen after her death, our guide prepared us for what we were about to see. As we walked forward through the main gates, the Taj Mahal at first appeared to be shrinking. It was an optical illusion, made to look that way so that it fit visually inside of the arch of the gateway to the structure. Once through the gate, it was perfectly symmetrical in every way. Aside from the amazingly balanced façade, the inlay of fine pieces of lapis, onyx, jasper and other stones and semi precious materials was absolutely breathtaking. I had heard it said that seeing the Taj Mahal in a book or magazine or photograph didn’t do it justice, and now I know why. You have to see it to believe it. 20,000 laborers worked for 22 years ’round the clock until the project was finished. I’m looking forward to seeing it again in February!

We also went to Mother Teresa’s Charity that the Collette Foundation supports. It was so sad to see all the disparity and sadness of the orphans and the special needs kids and adults that this charity supports. The babies and toddlers were so happy to have us there to smile at them, to touch them and to hold them. I brought lots of school supplies and others brought medical supplies. Next time I come, I want to bring some children’s clothing and books as I think they could really use it.

Driving through the streets of Agra you realize this is a country with it’s own way of life. To best sum it up, as we were driving through town today, I saw two goats standing on a bed (the bed was outside in the open) with a hula hoop on the bed and one of the goats standing in the middle of the hula hoop. Yup, that just about says it all…livestock walking everywhere, goats, roosters, monkeys, cows, dogs, donkeys, camels. This was all on just one city block! Add to it men getting haircuts and shaves right out on the city streets, men using a wall as a public toilet, baby’s without any pants playing out near the street, cars and moterbikes racing everywhere, on the wrong side of the street, through red lights and stop signs, in front of pedestrians, all the while, horns honking. We are certainly not in Kansas anymore!

I hope you’ve been enjoying the wonderful photos that Barry has been taking. He is amazed that each time he holds up the camera, he sees a unique opportunity for a photograph, as you can see by the looks on the faces of the people, as well as the scenery.

Tags: Agra, India, Jewish singles tours, Jewish singles travel, Taj Mahal
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A Taste of India, Part 2 – Jaipur

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

This is the second part from my experiences from India ~

Elephant ride to the Red Fort

India is keeping us very busy! From morning until late in the evening, we are discovering a country and a culture that is so different from what we know, or what we could have ever imagined! There’s a warmth to the people, and whether they live on the street, are merchants in the stores or those we are meeting along the way, the people of India have a desire to learn about western culture and want to know everything about us. Yesterday, one of the managers of the restaurant we were having dinner in came up to us to start a conversation. After our “hellos and namastes,” he said, “who do you think is the best, better and worst presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush or Obama (why does nobody ever say Barack Omama?)? Vowing to never get into political discussions with the locals, I did feel compelled to answer the question. After Barry and I both gave our answers (we gave the same answer), he said, “correct.” I didn’t think it was a quiz but rather an opinion! Then we told him why we believed what we said to be true, and he said, “that’s correct.” I wanted to ask him what he thought about his King, or was it a Prime Minister? But didn’t we see the home of the President of India in Delhi? Which one is right? Oh never mind, I couldn’t even ask him about his political leaders because not only didn’t I know their names, I didn’t know who actually ruled his country. I obviously have a lot more to learn about the country.

Note the "no honking" sign

We left Udaipur for what was supposed to be a short plane ride to Jaipur. Before we left the US, we were told the flight was cancelled and we would be driving the 6 ½ hours. But not to worry, they would provide us with lunch along the way. Ten hours later, we arrived in Jaipur. Traffic jams, getting lost on the way to lunch and “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” were all part of the adventure. Oh, and did I mention the bus driver honked his horn the entire way? When I’m leading a group, I never use my ipod. Because I was a tourist on this journey, I turned up that volume and enjoyed the music…for 10 hours.

We arrived in Jaipur, the Pink City, late in the day. We went to a Buddhist Temple that incorporated all religions. There was an Islam dome on the structure, a Hindu shape to the roof. Yes, even Moses was there on the relief sculpture work, right next to Jesus. No one was left out. We stayed for the sunset service and just when we were about to leave, the monk sprinkled the entire crowd with holy water. I tried to dodge the flying water droplets but he was a really good aim. I have now been anointed or christened or baptised or something.

We walked through the market of the Old City and saw the flower market, the milk market (where the women test the milk to see whether it has been mixed with water by the merchants and stick their fingers in it – ewe!), the bangle market and more. Fascinating. There was even a cow walking around in the market! Everyone just walks around them as if they were not there – like they’re invisible! And the cows have an attitude, like they own the place. Actually, I believe they do!

Snake Charmer

Today we visited the incredible Amber Fort. After riding an elephant to the top entrance and entering through the gate of the palace, we toured the richly appointed and architecturally interesting structure. There was so much opulence during the time of the Raj, from marble inlay to hand painted walls and ceilings to hand woven rugs…it gives you a real understanding of what life must have been like for the kings and moguls of India during that time. Taking a jeep back down the hill, we felt like we were in the middle of an Indiana Jones movie. Again, our jeep driving honking his horn the entire way down.

Another palace, another temple and a snake charmer (yes, really!) and the day was nearly over.
But wait – a dip in the pool, a quick shower, and we were off again!

Tonight we had dinner with a local family of noble descent. They toured us through their 250 year old home, given to them by the Raj and we learned about some of their traditions and how they came to live in their house. Four brothers and their wifes all share this home, along with their kids and grandkids. Twenty something people shared the same house together – like one big, happy family! We had dinner on the patio and enjoyed speaking with some of the family members. They weren’t all outside with us as the family were all trying to watch a huge cricket match pairing Pakistan and India. These rivals who are often at war with each other are still playing at this moment. Even the Prime Minister is India is there (but does he rule the country?). We can’t figure out how to play this game, but is has been going on for the past eight hours, and the score is 210 – 9/4–whatever that means! We can hear chants and roaring of support in the streets, along with fireworks – at least I hope I’m hearing fireworks!

More to follow…

Tags: elephant rides, India, Jaipur, palaces, Raj
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Lifestyles of the Weird and Weirder

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

Every once in a while I like to share a story about the stranger side of ravel. As a tour leader for nearly 20 years, I often think that there isn’t much I haven’t seen…but then I face a challenge beyond even my own experience. Some of these life moments are funny, some perplexing, some annoying and some….just gotta be told.

Take the woman who once told me that she would never travel with our company again “because the last time I visted this island, the weather was much better”. Or, how about one of our cruise passengers who pulled a knife on a waiter because the poor Filipino just couldn’t understand that our passenger wanted his dessert before his appetizer.

It was a butter knife!

Then there was this moment in time when I was called into the stateroom of two women who divided the furniture in their room like Less Nessman (WKRP in Cincinatti) put down masking tape around his desk to create a virtual private office….for the purpose establishing a “my zone / your zone”. In a 200 sq. foot space, you can only imagine what this room looked like. Among other things, one of the beds blocked the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door to the balcony, for which both parties paid a premium to have. How does someone resolve something like this?? I’m a tour leader, not a psychiatrist! This took my customer service skills to new levels of problem-solving capabililties…

So, I came upon this story. Not one that I’ve experienced on one of our Jewish singles trips, nor one that I have encountered personally…but one that I certainly may someday.

With someone like this sweating the small stuff so much, its a wonder to even call it a vacation.

Woman Sued Carnival Claiming Cruise Ship Was Too Fast

An Indiana woman will not have her day in court, at least in her home state, on claims that as a cruise passenger she became ill on her vacation because a Carnival Cruise Lines ship was going too fast. Doris Beard sued the cruise line claiming “due to the speed of the ship I became very sick, my body swayed terrible on the ship, I had bleeding which had not happened [sic] in three years. The ship was moving so fast everyone on board became sick, even the workers,” according to a court document.

The cruise line called for the case to be dismissed, arguing the venue for the suit should be changed to Florida, where the cruise line is based. The cruise line’s motion was denied by a small claims court in Lake County, Indiana. But the Indiana Court of Appeals said this week the small claims court “erred,” and has reversed the decision.

Which ship Beard cruised on and where she took her cruise was not listed in the court document and the amount she is seeking was not specified. Carnival argued the terms and conditions of the cruise contract require the case to be heard in Florida. The cruise line also argued Beard’s claim was not filed within the one-year statute of limitations in the cruise contract.

A spokesman did not respond to a request for further comment.

Tags: Carnival Cruise Lines, Cruise, don't sweat the small stuff, Jewish Singles, Vacation
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The Elation of Vacation Preparation

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

It’s a miserable oxymoron, but planning to go on vacation involves a lot of work. Whether you’re traveling with a companion or part of a group travel experience, it’s true; for that much-needed vacation, one must spend a great deal of time to put their “regular” life on hold and put their “vacation” life in place. It’s important to properly prepare for your departure, arrival and ultimate return back home so that you can maximize your rest-ability without a total disruption of your home life. As a dude who is in the constant motion of traveling—leading our Jewish singles vacations, or sometimes just taking a vacation for myself—I’ve garnered some handy tips on how to lessen the burden of preparation, keep life at home ready for your return, and to have a carefree transition on both ends.

Call Your Credit Card Company

Many credit card companies have identity protection plans in place that help protect travelers from theft and fraud. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s a good idea to contact your credit card companies before traveling to ensure the card will work. Check the back of your credit card for customer service numbers

Place a “Hold” on Mail and Deliveries

Your nearest post office branch has a pretty yellow post card that you can fill out in about 30 seconds to request your mail to be held during the dates you are away. Keep a supply at home with you and mail it, free of charge, about a week before your departure. They will even deliver the whole mishpucha to you on the date you select for your return. (I don’t suggest using the online “hold mail” option as it doesn’t seem to be an effective communication source). I usually put the start date to be one day before my departure, just to make certain they actually have begun to hold my mail. Stop on all automatic deliveries like your daily newspaper by simply calling their circulation department and let them know you’ll be placing your delivery on hold.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Leave transit details and contact phone numbers with family and friends in case they need to reach you while you’re away. These include phone number of the hotels where you’re staying, flight numbers, contact info of airlines, cruise ship and your tour company…and for those who may be watching your pets or kids, phone numbers for doctors/veterinarians, if necessary

Set up Pet Care

If you have a furry family member, you may actually be inclined to provide more setup care for this loved one than you give attention to for yourself. We love our cats and dogs that much! If you are planning to leave Fluffy at a kennel (called “Pet Resorts” these days) be sure to make your reservation as far in advance as possible. Many “resorts” can sell out of their “deluxe accommodations” early, especially around holiday times. When you do drop off your little ball of love, be sure to leave the staff with your contact information as well as all medications, your vet’s phone numbers and a few familiar toys & treats so that s/he feels as at-home as much as possible.

Cash Out

Never leave town without some cash – domestic or foreign currency! If you’re traveling within the country, make sure to hit the bank before you leave so that you don’t end up paying ATM surcharge fees in another destination. If you’re traveling overseas, it’s a good idea to carry some of the local country’s currency with you. Take enough cash for cab fare or transfer fees so you don’t have to go in search of an exchange booth. Amazing Journeys’ website provides a link to Oanda currency converter (click our Resources button) to determine the best rate of exchange for your money.

Check the Weather

Before you zip up the suitcase and head to the airport, do one last check of the local weather in your destination and make any necessary adjustments to clothes and amenities.

Pack Your Essentials…properly

Before leaving the house ensure that you have all necessary essentials. Most importantly, LOOK AT YOUR PASSPORT! Seriously, open it up and look at the photo to make sure you have and the right one. I’ve seen it happen; you have a roommate, a spouse, a traveling companion…and you inadvertently slip the wrong passport into your pocket. Major problem if you present someone else’s passport at security! The following items should be kept on your person, not packed in your suitcase: Passport/identification…all medications….all your travel documents including airline ticket, cruise ticket, car/hotel reservation….cash/credit cards/travelers cheques….one change of clothes, just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive as planned.

Overpacking is a major issue on many fronts. Its hard on your back, it costs you money at the airports and it wastes time in transition as baggage handlers, motor coach drivers and hotel personnel have to haul and lug. Excess weight isn’t green for the environment either as it utilizes more fuel on planes, cars and busses and the aforementioned burden on physical stress. My simple rule of thumb is to simply pack for less. It’s actually okay to wear things twice (or thrice), to do some laundry (cheaper to send out a load at the hotel than to pay overweight fees at the airport) and to treat yourself to something new while on vacation.

Turn off your water, turn on your timers, and unplug your appliances

If your home will be vacant for a period time, you should absolutely turn off your main water valve and drain all the faucets. If a pipe were to burst, the water would just flow endlessly until you got home. Even if you live in a cold weather environment, a frozen pipe is better than a busted flowing pipe. Contrary to popular belief, letting your water drip does not prevent freezing. When you return home, turn the valve and all faucets on gradually to avoid a massive rush of water. Also, unplug all unnecessary appliances like the toaster, your hair dryer and even your computer. With electricity still flowing, you’ll burn unnecessary units and assume wasted costs. Plus, you’ll save the life of these items should there be a power surge in your absence. Finally, get yourself a timer for a lamp so that it comes on and off at varying intervals. A light turning on and off is a deterrent for a would-be burglar.

Tags: Group Travel, Jewish Singles, passport, Travel Tips, Vacation
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Perhaps the very first Amazing Journey

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the most incendiary book in the history of science, and coincidentally, the 200th birthday of the mild mannered Englishman who wrote it. Charles Darwin did not invent the idea of evolution, any more than Abe Lincoln–who happens to share his birthday on Feburary 12–invented the idea of freedom. What Darwin provided in The Origin of Species was a powerful theory for how evolution could occur through purely natural forces, liberating scientists to explore the glorious complexity of life, rather than merely accept it as an impenetrable mystery.

Contrary to popular belief, Darwin did not visit only Galapagos. He actually only visited these islands just once in his lifetime. As indicated from his journal, he visited and researched his evolutionary theories in many parts of the world:

“The day has past delightfully. Delight itself, however, is a weak term to experess the feelings of a naturalist who, for the first time, has wandered by himself into a Brazilian forest” – Darwin: February 29, 1832

“It is scarcely possible to imagine any thing more beautiful than the beryl-like blue of these (Tierra del Feugo, Chile) glaciers, and especially as contrasted with the dead white of the upper expanse of snow” – Darwin : January 29, 1893

Geneticist Theo Dobzhansky wrote 37 years ago that “nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution.” That light, which began as a glimmer in the mind of a young naturalist aboard H.M.S. Beagle, today casts a beam so bright we can read the very text of life by it. Darwin would be overjoyed to see how much he did not know, and how much we have yet to learn.

Tags: Brazil, Charles Darwin, Galapagos, H.M.S. Beagle, The Origin of Species, Tierra del Fuego
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The State of the Travel Industry

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Malori and Stacey just returned from World Travel Market in London and are happy to report that all is good in the travel industry! We met with tour operators and vendors from over 250 countries around the world as we planned and got ideas for future Amazing Journeys in 2012. In addition, we attended lectures given by travel insiders from around the globe as they presented the state of the travel industry.

“Green” travel options were a big topic. Vendors from every corner of the globe are stepping up to the plate to offer sustainable tourism, becoming more aware of water shortages, carbon footprints and taking a stand to keep the world from being overused. Along those lines, we attended lectures on keeping religious sites truly sacred by limiting the amount of tourists at any one place at a given time. It’s a responsibility we must all embrace if we are to have a world to share with the next generation.

Trends in growth for travel include Asia, leading the recovery from the 2009 economic downturn with more people visiting countries within Asia, as well as the “new middle class” within China who are beginning to travel within their own country and abroad. Latin America is offering more adventure and sporting event opportunities with Brazil being the favorite destination. Africa is getting ahead of the pack with “Space Travel” opportunities, offering travelers in-room telescopes to look at the night sky, night-vision safaris, Astro tourism, clear night skies in Africa and wants to actually take up traveling in space to compete with the US. Adventure travel is appealing to more individuals than ever before and 85% of those polled worldwide, list adventure travel as a priority when making plans to travel. And finally, there are the beginnings of interest in Iraq as a growing area for tourists (think Vietnam).

While in London, Stacey and I selected hotels in London for our upcoming British Isles trip. You’ll love what we found and we can’t wait to share it with you in the coming weeks!

So there you have it. We have toured the globe in only three days at World Travel Market. Where do you want to go in 2012? Now is the time to let us know as the planning has begun!

Tags: Africa, Asia, Brazil, China, Latin America, New destinations, Space Travel, Sustainable tourism, Vacation
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Ala Carte Pricing Coming to Cruises?

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Over the past several years, cruise lines have been slowly adding in ala carte pricing for even the most basic items. First, the cruise lines added charges for sodas in the dining room, once considered to be part of the cruise’s “all-inclusive” pricing. Then they added upscale dining options at specialty restaurants with fees of $10 – $35. Next there were ice cream and coffee bars with more and better tasting choices, charges for freshly squeezed orange juice and fees for after hours room service deliveries. The all-inclusive pricing structure of a cruise are nearly gone. Don’t get me wrong, the value associated with cruise ship travel still gives you “the most bang for your buck” however, it is clearly not an “all-inclusive” price anymore.

Carnival Cruise Lines last week announced its most recent addition to the cost of a cruise. They are “testing” the concept charging an extra $18 for steak or lobster entrees in the regular dining rooms on three of its big cruise ships. Royal Caribbean began charging for upgraded steak selections in their main dining rooms several months ago. This is a trend that has begun and I suspect will be picked up by every major mass-market cruise line, as always happens when one segment of the industry finds a way to make additional income.

According to Ed Perkins in his article, “Ala Carte Pricing Coming to Cruises,” he says, For most of their modern existence, cruise lines have touted “inclusive” pricing as a major advantage over most vacation alternatives. With the exception of tipping—and usually alcoholic beverages—once you bought into the cruise, you really didn’t have to spend anything extra for the duration. Of course, you paid extra for port excursions and some specialty recreation activities, but those were strictly options. Meals, snacks, regular beverages, entertainment, and most onboard activities were “free” once you got onboard.

What’s changing? Basically, the way you buy cruises is changing. An executive at a travel company was recently quoted as saying that, with the giant online travel agencies, the travel industry has created a business model “specifically designed to bring our prices down” as much as possible. Those various agencies and their search engines permit instant price comparisons among essentially all the suppliers in any given marketplace. They don’t just facilitate, they emphasize searches for the “lowest” price or fare.

The big airlines recognized this new marketing reality a few years ago: That showing up as the “lowest” option in any search is a huge competitive advantage. In response, most have started to charge extra for many of the facilities and services that were once bundled into the fare, primarily so they could keep that base fare figure as low as possible. In fact, their behavior clearly shows that, absent diligent government oversight, they would engage in wholesale price-splitting: Carving out an arbitrary portion of the real fare, giving it a plausible label—think “fuel surcharge” here—and excluding it from the base fare display. This “lowest fare” focus is especially important with airlines, because you, the consumers, have shown that low fares easily trump any minor product differences.

My take is that the mass-market cruise lines are facing the same sort of problem. With the advent of modern megaships, product differentiation is decreasing. More and more, you will buy a cruise on the basis of an online search, for example, for the line and ship with the best price for a balcony cabin from South Florida to the Caribbean in March. Like the coach/economy airline seat, the mass-market cruise cabin will become a commodity.

Clearly, if I’m right, cruise lines will chip away at their total service packages by adding extra charges for food, beverages, and activities. How fast they will chip depends on market response. But the ability to come out “lowest” in any sort of price comparison is far too important for any mass-market line to ignore. If the only way to show lowest in a search is to charge extra for what used to be “free,” they’ll charge extra.

What are your thoughts on a la carte pricing coming to cruises? Will you continue to cruise? Do you still think it offers value for your vacation dollar above land-based vacations? Share your thoughts by adding a comment below.

Tags: Cruise, travel pricing
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What’s in your wallet??

Monday, September 20th, 2010

The state of credit card security is a continuing battle between card issuers and criminals who steal account numbers, with consumers caught in the fray. Whether travelers are more likely to become victims of credit card fraud is debatable, but we’re certainly more likely to get tripped up by efforts to combat fraud, especially overseas.

Here are some things to watch out for if you plan on paying with plastic, which isn’t quite as widely accepted as the ad campaigns for credit cards would have you believe.

Avoiding a Freeze on Your Account – Be sure to call your credit card company before a trip to a foreign country, so your purchases in Bangkok or Barcelona don’t trigger a freeze on your account. Banks rely on antifraud software that monitors customers’ spending patterns, which means that any time you stray from your usual habits — like buying groceries in another state instead of at a store in your home ZIP code — your bank might become concerned. Overseas, it can be a hassle to unfreeze a card, especially if you don’t have a cellphone with international service.

Rejection of Cards Abroad – For globe-trotting travelers, another issue is that many countries in Europe, as well as Japan, Canada, Mexico and other nations, have adopted a type of credit card that has a chip and requires customers to enter a PIN instead of the ones with a magnetic stripe on the back that we still use in the United States. Merchants that accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express are supposed to let customers pay with either type of card, but employees at some retailers outside the United States don’t always know what to do with the magnetic version.

There are also automated kiosks that accept only the “chip and PIN” cards, particularly in European train stations, parking garages, gas stations and some tollbooths. In those cases, Americans with magnetic stripe cards usually have to wait in line to pay with cash or have a clerk swipe their cards. Travelers say those lines can be long, which is especially frustrating if you’re trying to catch a train. And at unattended tollbooths, you may get stuck if you don’t have coins you can pay with instead.

So how common is this problem? Research found that nearly half of American cardholders who have traveled abroad in the past few years have had some problem using a debit or credit card.

Chip Cards in the United States? The cost of issuing new cards is a hurdle, especially given the banking industry’s other financial challenges, so don’t expect to see a lot of movement before the end of 2011.”

There is one financial institution that is moving more quickly, however: the United Nations Federal Credit Union, which plans to offer its members credit cards with both a magnetic stripe and a chip beginning in October. With Canada and Mexico now embracing chip and PIN cards, along with Europe and many other parts of the world, it was time to make the switch. Another motivation is that the chip and PIN cards are more secure because there is a unique key encrypted in every card, whereas magnetic stripe cards are relatively easy to clone — that is, to steal the data and copy it onto another card.

The trend seems to be that more fraud is coming to the U.S. because we’re the one last holdout in magnetic stripe cards, however despite that concern, the major credit card companies do not have imminent plans to offer chip and PIN cards to their American customers, even though they provide them to cardholders abroad.

American Express said that while the company doesn’t plan to add the chip technology to cards issued in the United States customers should be able to use their magnetic stripe cards abroad, even if a clerk tells them they cannot. Your best advice here is that you should insist that they swipe the card.

Of course, communicating with store employees who may not speak English isn’t always easy, which is why carrying plenty of cash is a good backup, especially in rural areas and developing countries.

Tags: chip and PIN, credit card, freeze, traveling abroad
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Friends

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

One of the greatest things about Amazing Journeys is, well..the journeys themselves. Traveling to Alaska, Costa Rica, Australia, Europe or South America are destinations that fulfill lifelong dreams and help make us all more worldly and appreciative of other walks of life.

But a journey can be an incomplete experience if you have no one with whom to share it. Like a tree in the forest needs other trees to grow, prosper and evolve…so do we humans need others to share in such landmark experiences as seeing life & history in another land. From here, friends are made. A team of players share the thrills of competition, a couple share the birth of a child, a committee helps steer the future of a community center — these are all examples of the attachments we have to needing and desiring the company of others. These are also examples of how friends are made.

Through Amazing Journeys, friends are made by sharing a common experience together; that of visiting another land. Taking pictures, going on a hike, sitting with a new acqaintance on a bus ride, sharing a meal, sitting in the jacuzzi or just chatting with someone while strolling through the streets are some of the most meaningful shared life experiences, and friend-making opportunities while on a tour. We know this premise very well as we instruct all our tour guides to not be offended if there’s chatter going on while a tour is in progress. Our groups love to chat!

But that’s the process…and the meaning behind traveling with a group. Traveling with others brings a world of perspective, adventure and the unexpected. It brings a potential for new friends that no other venue can offer. The experiences that AJ-made friends share together are life changing and special. And sometimes even matrimonial–over 100 individuals have found their soulmates on a previous Amazing Journey.

As Amazing Journeys embarks on our Reunion Weekend this Friday, we relish in the thousands of friendships that have been made over the years along our travels. We’ve made friends, yes, but the essense of our joy is witnessing the endless array of friendship and courtship that comes with being a travel member on an Amazing Journey. As our new friend Arlene stated in an email to us upon returning home from our recent Alaska cruise/tour: “Hopefully this will be only the beginning of our friendship. You said this trip would create wonderful new memories and friendships that would last a lifetime and already I see this coming to fruition.After I returned home, following my incredible two week trip, I felt “Alive”, busting with pure joy, exhilaration and happiness. Thank you for an incredible and outstanding trip and experience!!”

Whatever you garner while traveling, the memories will last a lifetime…but the friendships will change your life, over time.

There’s great meaning to the phrase “that’s what friends are for”

Tags: Alaska, Australia / Pacific, Costa Rica, Friends, Friendship, lifetime memories
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