Made any travel mistakes lately?

[Flyfrequently]

The hotel is called FLH Boemio...it was actually rather nice...well the room was, it would be considered low on services. It's a bit weird as it is part of group but they don't seem to have launched a website for it yet...but you'll find it on all the major booking sites and highly regarded.

Google Travel

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We do believe it was stolen, yes, but the whole thing is just really confusing. We were on the train to the Algarve when asked to produce the passport...and it was just...not where it should have been!

That is so stressful for you both @bcworld , glad it turned out OK.

Do you think it could it have been some nifty /shifty handiwork as you were boarding the train? I mention this as we are off to Lisbon in 2/52 and pre C-19 my friend had €++ lifted and had no idea how they accessed her anti-theft bag

 

[bcworld]

That is so stressful for you both @bcworld , glad it turned out OK.

Do you think it could it have been some nifty /shifty handiwork as you were boarding the train? I mention this as we are off to Lisbon in 2/52 and pre C-19 my friend had €++ lifted and had no idea how they accessed her anti-theft bag

You never know...but it seems very unlikely. If the passport had been where expected it would've been in a plastic sleeve, in a zipped document wallet, in a zipped bag. The plastic sleeve was there!

Given my partner is obsessed with watching Instagram videos of the Italian lady who yells “Attenzione Pickpocket!”...I'd like to think he's more careful!

 

[Flyfrequently]

You never know...but it seems very unlikely. If the passport had been where expected it would've been in a plastic sleeve, in a zipped document wallet, in a zipped bag. The plastic sleeve was there!

Given my partner is obsessed with watching Instagram videos of the Italian lady who yells “Attenzione Pickpocket!”...I'd like to think he's more careful!

Ah, good old Insta and Tiktok!!!
I've read also that the gypsies and the well-dressed, helpful gentlemen at the station are more interested in cash.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

..as we are off to Lisbon in 2/52 and pre C-19 my friend had €++ lifted and had no idea how they accessed her anti-theft bag

You say we, so are they 2 of you travelling?
If this is so, then that is a good thing, as you can be a "hawk" for each other.
Not that I have a foolproof system, but maybe have one of those neck carrier things, that has rfid and also can be slipped under your chest front of jacket/shirt/jumper.
Or get one of those holster things, that goes under your arm pit, like concealed weapon carry sort of thing.
Would it be autumn up there, you say 2/52, ie, 2 weeks, if so, would be late summer, so still warm, so maybe only a light sleeveless parka.
You could also do the 2nd wallet thing, ie, to have one smaller denomination euros notes/coins and have your main stash elsewhere, in shoes for eg.
I know they say its illegal to make photocopies of cash, and it would be hard to get coloured copies, so maybe just cut some paper into euro sized notes, and stuff that into a 2nd wallet to pad it up.
My dad and mum went to France a few years ago, he said they (robbers) have the gall to put their hands into trouser pockets.
Me, I have only ever been to SIN & across the ditch to NZ, so have not personally been robbed, have had some scary situations here in Aust too, but not so much robbery.

 

[Flyfrequently]

You say we, so are they 2 of you travelling?
If this is so, then that is a good thing, as you can be a "hawk" for each other.
Not that I have a foolproof system, but maybe have one of those neck carrier things, that has rfid and also can be slipped under your chest front of jacket/shirt/jumper.
Or get one of those holster things, that goes under your arm pit, like concealed weapon carry sort of thing.
Would it be autumn up there, you say 2/52, ie, 2 weeks, if so, would be late summer, so still warm, so maybe only a light sleeveless parka.
You could also do the 2nd wallet thing, ie, to have one smaller denomination euros notes/coins and have your main stash elsewhere, in shoes for eg.
I know they say its illegal to make photocopies of cash, and it would be hard to get coloured copies, so maybe just cut some paper into euro sized notes, and stuff that into a 2nd wallet to pad it up.
My dad and mum went to France a few years ago, he said they (robbers) have the gall to put their hands into trouser pockets.
Me, I have only ever been to SIN & across the ditch to NZ, so have not personally been robbed, have had some scary situations here in Aust too, but not so much robbery.

Thanks for that @AustraliaPoochie, we have to have our wits about us wherever we go it seems these days
I am travelling with Mr Flyfrequently in 2 weeks and it will still be warm.
We have done quite a few Eu trains since her episode and have worked out our strategy, but will take on board your neck thinggy (I also use a daggy money pouch thing tucked into the front of my pants) We travel the trains particularly with minimal cash, he has a faux wallet in his pocket and nothing else of value and does the luggage and lifting etc.
We shove our carry on into the suitcase so we have as little to look after.

I watched the pretty gypsies doing their thing at Gare de Nice-Ville in 2018.
Been vigilant and lucky so far

 

[Happy Dude]

Especially picking up at an airport I usually add 2 - 3 hours to the time of pick up so less likely to fall foul of the pick up time rule. Knew a couple of friends that it happened to so I am aware of it.

It's also why they ask for your arrival flight details though, so if it's delayed they know you are still picking up.

US is a bit different, too. They'll note the exact time you pickup and then charge if you bring back after the 24 hour period block from pickup rather than the original return time. Whereas in Europe if they give to you early, they'll still honour the original return time.

Except we weren't flying in before pick up. We were flying out though so wanted to drop off the car there. And the T&C's say that you must notify them if you're going to be late for any reason (incl delayed flight) so there's no automatic extension of pick up time.

But we actually made no effort to get there on time, without realising the rules of course. We enjoyed a leisurely stint in our favourite little cafe near our AirBnB and just moseyed on out to the airport in no rush. Ignorance is bliss I suppose.

Friends in our group arrived 30mins early for their pickup (not sure which company) and were told that there would be a EUR50 fee for early pickup! Needless to say they found a nearby coffee shop to wait it out.

 

[Katie]

Going on our first cruise in late Dec, leaving from Sydney. When debating flights down from BNE, I couldn't interest Mr Katie in flying down the day before. All I knew was the ship was leaving at 4:30pm. So I figured a flight getting in to SYD at 11am would be enough.

After making a comment to someone on the same cruise that we can't go along to a pre-cruise get-together the night before, and finding out it's very unwise to fly in to the port on the day of a cruise, I've changed our flights. The $99 pp to change QF Red e-Deals wasn't the only rude thing - to stay on the same flight we were already booked on for SYD-BNE was going to cost $50pp extra! Should have also booked separate segments.

 

[love_the_life]

Going on our first cruise in late Dec, leaving from Sydney. When debating flights down from BNE, I couldn't interest Mr Katie in flying down the day before. All I knew was the ship was leaving at 4:30pm. So I figured a flight getting in to SYD at 11am would be enough.

After making a comment to someone on the same cruise that we can't go along to a pre-cruise get-together the night before, and finding out it's very unwise to fly in to the port on the day of a cruise, I've changed our flights. The $99 pp to change QF Red e-Deals wasn't the only rude thing - to stay on the same flight we were already booked on for SYD-BNE was going to cost $50pp extra! Should have also booked separate segments.

Wise decision not to fly in on the cruise day - too many cases where people have had flights delayed/cancelled etc. Stress you do not need.
BTW - where is the cruise going to?

 

[blackcat20]

Apparently trusting Luxury Escapes to organise a transfer that is included in the package is too much to ask. I've called multiple times and each time was told I would be sent details. Nothing. So I lodged a case via their website, and got a "case resolved" email but still no details

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You could still use the waist bum bag if you have more than a source or place to keep money, inside shoes, or use clear glue to glue extra hold points to the bum bag.
Maybe if decided to use neck strap, also use glue gun to glue extra hold points to it.
Pity its still warm when you go, as its harder for itchy hand to get through jackets, apart from them using small knives to cut pockets.
Maybe also have Auspost cash passport (mastercard) standalone card in case p** hits the fan, so to speak.
Keep watching Youtube scams tho.

 

[bcworld]

Given my partner is obsessed with watching Instagram videos of the Italian lady who yells “Attenzione Pickpocket!”...I'd like to think he's more careful!

In case you're wondering what I'm talking about...it has recently been featured in New York Times as well:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

She's on a one woman mission to do what Italian police won't do.

 

[Katie]

Wise decision not to fly in on the cruise day - too many cases where people have had flights delayed/cancelled etc. Stress you do not need.
BTW - where is the cruise going to?

Sydney-Noumea-Sydney.
It’s a Disney cruise. They have an older kids club, which the Teen is eligible for (17yo then), should they wish to attend.

 

[Pushka]

I was wearing a bum bag on our last night in Ho Chi Minh. It was awfully hot and we were near our hotel in a reasonable area. MrP had been wearing the holster down his neck but it was so hot he was getting a rash so I thought I'd be safe. Nup. As we crossed the road a cyclo veered towards us and the passenger, facing backwards, slashed the bum bag off me then waved it as they drove off. They got my mobile but not much else. The mobile was deregistered within 5 minutes so no joy for them there. The concierge took us to the local police station to file a report. Now that was an eye opener.

 

[Flashback]

I was wearing a bum bag on our last night in Ho Chi Minh. It was awfully hot and we were near our hotel in a reasonable area. MrP had been wearing the holster down his neck but it was so hot he was getting a rash so I thought I'd be safe. Nup. As we crossed the road a cyclo veered towards us and the passenger, facing backwards, slashed the bum bag off me then waved it as they drove off. They got my mobile but not much else. The mobile was deregistered within 5 minutes so no joy for them there. The concierge took us to the local police station to file a report. Now that was an eye opener.

About to head to Phnom Penh where by all accounts that type of theft is even worse. Happened to some friends of ours the last time I visited Bali about 3 decades ago.

 

[Pushka]

About to head to Phnom Penh where by all accounts that type of theft is even worse. Happened to some friends of ours the last time I visited Bali about 3 decades ago.

Yes and in Thailand too. Shortly after my incident an Aussie woman died when the slash went wrong.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Pushka, OffT, but also, even tho the phone might be dead, ie, non operable, its still valuable when broken down for parts, or remarketed as "new" if it looks new.
Lots of mobile phones on ebay, "refurbished", meaning its been deconstructed and parts added, so it would appear new.OnT.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I wonder if you keep an AirTag in your bumbag/purse etc if the local police would track it (and the thief) down for you. Language would be a barrier in most foreign countries (I've found even tourist police don't necessarily speak great English).

 

[Pushka]

I wonder if you keep an AirTag in your bumbag/purse etc if the local police would track it (and the thief) down for you. Language would be a barrier in most foreign countries (I've found even tourist police don't necessarily speak great English).

I'm not sure many foreign police would even bother. The police report was written in Vietnamese, we Had to get the hotel to translate. They have far too many petty tourist crimes to bother with unless there's a serious outcome. I'd rather not lose the AirTag!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Its a hard thing to be a visitor to Europe/Asia as an Aussie based person.
First, unless we make an effort, we only speak English, unless we learn basic European language of the country we are visiting.
Or learn Vietnamese/Thai/...
Also, a lot of the crimes that occur up there, we get a lesser of, here.
Not saying card skimming does not happen here, but lesser so.
Also for pick pocketing, not saying it does not happen here, but lesser so.
So many people here in Aust still have their mobile phone/s sticking out the back trousers pocket, which in Asia/Europe would have one in a sec.
Or us in a Aust dom flight lounge, we leave items on charging stations, here its safe, as we don't "usually" touch others items, in a lounge, its an honesty policy of us here, we don't touch, but in other countries, I wouldn't do it.
Its hard to be an Aussie tourist while overseas, we are not really open to scams, esp the more cunning ones, like poured bird poo, or dog poo, or the "friendly distraction", like the "can I see your home country's currency" as happened to some in Bali.

 

[Happy Dude]

I left my SLR camera in plain view on a garden bench outside a shop in Kyoto, then toddled off to the bus stop, waited for 20mins, caught the bus for a few stops before I realised I didn't have it. Jumped off the bus, raced back to the shop and sure enough, the camera was still sitting there.

It's a sad indictment of the locals and their police force if all they'll do for such a widely known and commonly occurring issue like pickpockets and theft is to advise to "try not to look like a tourist".