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Bartering may be viewed as an unpleasant chore, but the exchange offers the opportunity to connect with local people. I have experience at bargaining in India, South America and numerous Southeast Asian countries, but traditions differ in other parts of the world. I have haggled successfully using the following advice.
• Know what you want. When I arrive at a destination, I observe local products, study prevailing prices, compare quality and listen to what others have paid.
Prior to traveling to Mongolia and China with Overseas Adventure Travel in July ’10, I was advised by friends who had taken the China portion of the trip the previous year that their doctor recommended taking a chewable Pepto-Bismol tablet with every meal when traveling. The doctor suggested that this reduces the likelihood that bacteria will be absorbed in the digestive tract.
My friends followed this advice and were the only people in their group NOT to have some kind of sickness during the three-week trip.
Articles my husband, R.C., and I read in ITN helped us plan our fall ’09 trip to Croatia and Slovenia. We went to Plitvice National Park because every article we’d read about Croatia mentioned this destination. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen another place quite like it. The color of the lakes is so special, black-and-white photos cannot do it justice. We spent an entire day walking the park’s paths.
My husband, Bob, and I took the trip of a lifetime around the world, November 2010-January 2011, by combining two Oceania Cruises voyages. Here are a few helpful hints for others who’d like to circumnavigate the globe.
We found that most of the world accepts US currency. Take lots of one-dollar bills and other small denominations. Bargain; most of the world does.
English truly is spoken — at least a little bit — almost everywhere.
Hiring a taxi is generally a great way to get a tour of an area, but make sure the driver speaks at least some English.
by Bill Reed, Denton, TX
After our time in Iceland (April ’11, pg. 6), my wife, Betty, and I continued our 16-day journey with a flight from Reykjavík to the Faroe Islands on Atlantic Airways. They, apparently, have not learned how to charge their passengers for an aisle seat, extra bags or a drink or even for boarding with the first group.
Report ON NEW ZEALAND
Dear Globetrotter:
Welcome to the 423rd issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine.
The sun never sets on the (former) British Empire. March’s photo depicts the very Anglican-looking Holy Trinity Church and its graveyard, located in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.