Made any travel mistakes lately?

[JohnK]

Went to the trouble of getting international driving permit. At $71 not a cheap piece of paper.

Right now it's sitting in the kitchen in Brisbane apartment. I wonder if it's going to be of any use to me if pulled over by Thai police next week?

 

[SYD]

Went to the trouble of getting international driving permit. At $71 not a cheap piece of paper.

Right now it's sitting in the kitchen in Brisbane apartment. I wonder if it's going to be of any use to me if pulled over by Thai police next week?

They’re $40 something dollars from NRMA or a Services NSW. But equally useless if it’s not with you….

 

[Scarlett]

Went to the trouble of getting international driving permit. At $71 not a cheap piece of paper.

Right now it's sitting in the kitchen in Brisbane apartment. I wonder if it's going to be of any use to me if pulled over by Thai police next week?

Does it even translate anything into Thai?

>>> here you go Mr Thai policeman; seeing as you can’t read my English license I have a form/booklet that looks like it was put together by a primary school student. Helpfully, it tells you all about my license in French, Japanese and Arabic…

This Thai policeman today didn’t seem to care about the other bikes ahead of him at what I guess is the wrong waiting point (about half the motorbikes we’re waiting back at the same line as him), or those not wearing helmets.

 

[Hvr]

This Thai policeman today didn’t seem to care about the other bikes ahead of him at what I guess is the wrong waiting point (about half the motorbikes we’re waiting back at the same line as him), or those not wearing helmets.

I reckon if a Farang was driving a motorbike it would be pulled over. Just to make sure they have their IDP, or THB1000.

 

[JohnK]

They’re $40 something dollars from NRMA or a Services NSW. But equally useless if it’s not with you….

RACQ $49 + $22 passport photos that are only valid for 6 months.

@Scarlett there is nothing in Thai on the IDP but apparently if police pull you over on their fund raising drives at the end of the month expect at least THB400-500 donation to their kitty.

How they pay police only ~THB20,000 a month is beyond me but that's another discussion.

 

[SYD]

RACQ $49 + $22 passport photos

Yep, true about PP photos if you don’t already have one.

that are only valid for 6 months.

Says who? How would they know if it was 7mths old?

there is nothing in Thai on the IDP but apparently if police pull you over on their fund raising drives at the end of the month expect at least THB400-500 donation to their kitty.

Interesting point, yet Thailand is explicitly mentioned in the list of countries that recognise an IDP. They probably rely on the English bit….

I have one with me at the moment. I’m expecting a French speaking Canadian Mountie to ask me if I have one when I drive across the border next week. To which I’ll say “Oui”…

 

[djkelly69]

I’m expecting a French speaking Canadian Mountie to ask me if I have one

OT, but are Aussies required to have an IDP for driving in Canada? I am heading over to the west coast for a partial driving holiday next year.

 

[SYD]

OT, but are Aussies required to have an IDP for driving in Canada? I am heading over to the west coast for a partial driving holiday next year.

The province of Quebec apparently doesn’t recognise Australian DLs (all others do) - according to the NRMA FAQ.

So officially, you’d be required to hold an IDP if pulled over by the police while driving in that province (I’ll be entering Canada from the US via Quebec…).

 

[JohnK]

Yep, true about PP photos if you don’t already have one.

Says who? How would they know if it was 7mths old?

Interesting point, yet Thailand is explicitly mentioned in the list of countries that recognise an IDP. They probably rely on the English bit….

I have one with me at the moment. I’m expecting a French speaking Canadian Mountie to ask me if I have one when I drive across the border next week. To which I’ll say “Oui”…

But my NSW driving licence is also in English. By the way I've been hiring a car in Thailand since 2015 and have never been pulled over once but you just never know when it will be your turn.

Also if I'm not mistaken travel insurance requires an IDP if you make an excess claim?

 

[SYD]

But my NSW driving licence is also in English. By the way I've been hiring a car in Thailand since 2015 and have never been pulled over once but you just never know when it will be your turn.

I was asked for one a check point in South Africa! . Fortunately I had one with me - it had expired but I think it was more a case of did I have one….

Also if I'm not mistaken travel insurance requires an IDP if you make an excess claim?

Only if it was a country that requires them. Normally an English speaking country does not require an Oz DL holder to carry and IDP.

 

[RooFlyer]

planning my trip to Moldova back in February, I arranged three one-day private guided tours to various areas. Expensive, but it gives me complete flexibility to do what I want and when I want within the program.

A few weeks ago, with an eye on costs, I let them know that I wouldn’t mind someone else joining me on the various tours. My mistake was not to ask then for a revised price for the tours based on multiple pax.

So on one tour, there were three of us and another tour there were four of us. In both cases people were added only the previous evening. I had to negotiate quite hard to get a reduction in my prices.

 

[Flashback]

planning my trip to Moldova back in February, I arranged three one-day private guided tours to various areas. Expensive, but it gives me complete flexibility to do what I want and when I want within the program.

A few weeks ago, with an eye on costs, I let them know that I wouldn’t mind someone else joining me on the various tours. My mistake was not to ask then for a revised price for the tours based on multiple pax.

So on one tour, there were three of us and another tour there were four of us. In both cases people were added only the previous evening. I had to negotiate quite hard to get a reduction in my prices.

Rather annoying that it wasn't proactively offered, makes for an awkward conversation and then follow on experience during the actual tour.

 

[RooFlyer]

Rather annoying that it wasn't proactively offered, makes for an awkward conversation and then follow on experience during the actual tour.

Yes. I communicated directly with the tour agency via WhatsApp but there seemed to be a genuine issue with that. The tour leaders then asked the agency guy to address my queries ( I made it clear to the guides that this wasn't their issue or problem).

All resolved eventually but I wouldn't recommend Moldova Tours. I got my last guide's details - all the guides are freelancers. He has a car rental business and does his own guiding. Will take you to Odessa on a day trip for about US$250

 

[Brissy1]

RACQ $49 + $22 passport photos that are only valid for 6 months.

fyi when buying through servicesnsw you upload a photo, eg a free selfie. When I got fined (about $20, years ago, cheaper than an IDL!) the nice policeman said to keep the receipt as I'm now good for 3 days. Also, he didn't notice/care that my companions IDL was expired, so maybe yours is good for 6months++

 

[Buzzard]

Unknowingly booked a J ticket with Bamboo Airways from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh. It was only $150.00 so just grabbed it. Found out when I checked in and given my boarding pass and directed to the lounge.
Had I of know I wouldn't have lined up in the economy check in section however I only waited about 5 minutes. What I did do though was hang around the coffee shop longer than necessary.
Looking at my ticket, nowhere does it say Business Class or economy for that matter.

 

[pagingjoan]

Unknowingly booked a J ticket with Bamboo Airways from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh. It was only $150.00 so just grabbed it. Found out when I checked in and given my boarding pass and directed to the lounge.
Had I of know I wouldn't have lined up in the economy check in section however I only waited about 5 minutes. What I did do though was hang around the coffee shop longer than necessary.
Looking at my ticket, nowhere does it say Business Class or economy for that matter. View attachment 345733

Nowhere?
Are you sure?

 

[serfty]

Nowhere?
Are you sure?

That's a boarding pass.

 

[serfty]

Looking at my ticket, nowhere does it say Business Class or economy for that matter.

Does your e-ticket show any booking class?

 

[drron]

TKWYW so upgraded at check in. Agent had probably been on a hosted tour of Barossa wineries.

 

[SYD]

Not checking more recent reviews of hotels you booked over 6 mths ago….apparently things can change….!

Currently staying at “budget” brand hotel in the US booked via Booking.com. It was a flexible rate booked back in March. I did check a few days ago if any better rates/hotels had become available but if anything, they were much more expensive so let it go.

On arrival, there were what appeared to be homeless people, cars without number plates and apparently the elevator was out because a kid had an “accident” - gastro outbreak!

Allocated a fairly coughty room (maintaining the theme) and go back to front desk to be told no other rooms - fully booked (but carpark is otherwise empty - apart from the cars with no number plates).

Check TripAdvisor and most recent reviews mention “long term residents” ie social housing…. But we’re still paying over US$200 pn! Alternatives for the night start around A$650 for the night….

Might skip the comp breakfast in the morning….