Your favourite things in the US

[Ghostwriter]

What if the Grand Final is a draw? You'll miss the replay.

Good early call.

 

[VicO]

Here is another website that help you get an idea of what hotels are what and also how much to bid on priceline.com and hotwire.com. Hope it help you out.

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=32&

Cheers mate!

 

[VicO]

Zion National Park is possibly the greatest thing I've ever seen. Hard to describe it. Awe inspiring, maybe.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Zion National Park is possibly the greatest thing I've ever seen. Hard to describe it. Awe inspiring, maybe.

Just did a google search. looks amazing.

 

[Keys]

Zion National Park is possibly the greatest thing I've ever seen. Hard to describe it. Awe inspiring, maybe.

Yeah Zion was really good

Liked the bus system so the place wasn't crowded out with cars

 

[Dagless]

Yeah Zion was really good

Liked the bus system so the place wasn't crowded out with cars

Out of everything to comment on KS...

 

[VicO]

Yeah agree regarding the buses, after driving thousands of miles over the country, it was nice to just sit back for one day and get taken around. It was the last day for them as well before they let cars back in for the winter.

 

[Bucks Boy Jett]

Well I have 2 days until I leave for the US, so are there any final tip or advice you have before I leave. Thanks for all your help.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

*Pack light and buy things over there. Food and clothing is generally cheaper, also CDs/DVDs etc.

*Consider getting a hand held scale for your luggage if you are catching more than a few flights and shopping. It was invaluable on our trip. You can take as much weight as you want (pretty much) in your carry-on luggage on domestic flights as only size matters with those. It is just international flights where you are limited to 7kg weight.

*Buy fresh from a deli where possible as most takeaway sucks worse than over here.

*Have your 3-2-1 liquids handy after packing (or just check them all), empty pockets into your carry on prior, get ready to take off shoes, belt, and jacket, and every security checkpoint will go like clockwork. You will get singled out randomly for a wand over or a pat down now and again. Don't get paranoid and run, this is normal. Most of them are fine, if not devoid of humour. I find yes sir, please and thank you work extremely well. They get a lot of snotty people objecting to everything thus they seem to dislike the monotony of it all.

*Accumulate $1 and $5 notes (not a problem, $1 notes will breed and make you think you have more money than you do) for tipping. Mentally work out your 15% + in advance. I found myself watching the meter and counting money in front of them, adding an extra dollar or so as it went up. Saves you getting caught out at the other end and asking for change if you intend to give them less than they expect. If you give them money without specifying change, they will keep it (most of them anyway).

* Take photos/video whenever you can, as you will probably be let down when you get back and need to look at the evidence to cheer you up when you return to normal life again.

* If you are drinking, takeaway alcohol is way cheaper and you don't have to tip.

* If you are taking tours, remember to tip your tour guide. On hop on hop off bus tours you just put the money into a receptacle so they don't know how much you are giving, and plenty of people don't give anything. Tipping will start to hurt by the end of the trip so work it the sort of things you need to tip for in advance. A bar is pretty much the only counter service where you are expected to tip.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

*Pack light and buy things over there. Food and clothing is generally cheaper, also CDs/DVDs etc.

*Consider getting a hand held scale for your luggage if you are catching more than a few flights and shopping. It was invaluable on our trip. You can take as much weight as you want (pretty much) in your carry-on luggage on domestic flights as only size matters with those. It is just international flights where you are limited to 7kg weight.

*Buy fresh from a deli where possible as most takeaway sucks worse than over here.

*Have your 3-2-1 liquids handy after packing (or just check them all), empty pockets into your carry on prior, get ready to take off shoes, belt, and jacket, and every security checkpoint will go like clockwork. You will get singled out randomly for a wand over or a pat down now and again. Don't get paranoid and run, this is normal. Most of them are fine, if not devoid of humour. I find yes sir, please and thank you work extremely well. They get a lot of snotty people objecting to everything thus they seem to dislike the monotony of it all.

*Accumulate $1 and $5 notes (not a problem, $1 notes will breed and make you think you have more money than you do) for tipping. Mentally work out your 15% + in advance. I found myself watching the meter and counting money in front of them, adding an extra dollar or so as it went up. Saves you getting caught out at the other end and asking for change if you intend to give them less than they expect. If you give them money without specifying change, they will keep it (most of them anyway).

* Take photos/video whenever you can, as you will probably be let down when you get back and need to look at the evidence to cheer you up when you return to normal life again.

* If you are drinking, takeaway alcohol is way cheaper and you don't have to tip.

* If you are taking tours, remember to tip your tour guide. On hop on hop off bus tours you just put the money into a receptacle so they don't know how much you are giving, and plenty of people don't give anything. Tipping will start to hurt by the end of the trip so work it the sort of things you need to tip for in advance. A bar is pretty much the only counter service where you are expected to tip.

Good advice. Do you know how much liquor you can bring back into Australia from US?
I heard it is only 1 litre.

 

[Bucks Boy Jett]

*Pack light and buy things over there. Food and clothing is generally cheaper, also CDs/DVDs etc.

*Consider getting a hand held scale for your luggage if you are catching more than a few flights and shopping. It was invaluable on our trip. You can take as much weight as you want (pretty much) in your carry-on luggage on domestic flights as only size matters with those. It is just international flights where you are limited to 7kg weight.

*Buy fresh from a deli where possible as most takeaway sucks worse than over here.

*Have your 3-2-1 liquids handy after packing (or just check them all), empty pockets into your carry on prior, get ready to take off shoes, belt, and jacket, and every security checkpoint will go like clockwork. You will get singled out randomly for a wand over or a pat down now and again. Don't get paranoid and run, this is normal. Most of them are fine, if not devoid of humour. I find yes sir, please and thank you work extremely well. They get a lot of snotty people objecting to everything thus they seem to dislike the monotony of it all.

*Accumulate $1 and $5 notes (not a problem, $1 notes will breed and make you think you have more money than you do) for tipping. Mentally work out your 15% + in advance. I found myself watching the meter and counting money in front of them, adding an extra dollar or so as it went up. Saves you getting caught out at the other end and asking for change if you intend to give them less than they expect. If you give them money without specifying change, they will keep it (most of them anyway).

* Take photos/video whenever you can, as you will probably be let down when you get back and need to look at the evidence to cheer you up when you return to normal life again.

* If you are drinking, takeaway alcohol is way cheaper and you don't have to tip.

* If you are taking tours, remember to tip your tour guide. On hop on hop off bus tours you just put the money into a receptacle so they don't know how much you are giving, and plenty of people don't give anything. Tipping will start to hurt by the end of the trip so work it the sort of things you need to tip for in advance. A bar is pretty much the only counter service where you are expected to tip.

Thanks heaps

 

[VicO]

Anything to do in Vegas during the day?

 

[Keys]

Anything to do in Vegas during the day?

Drive out to Hoover Dam and have a look around out there

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Anything to do in Vegas during the day?

Yeah, do your shopping during the day. Outlet centres at both ends of the strip. Taxi will cost about $20 one way though, best to jump on one of the many buses. The centre at the South end is apparently cheaper but I only went to this one. As I said earlier, you will get your Nike's dirt cheap here as they have an outlet store. Hundreds of styles, I paid $90 total for two pairs worth over $300 US. I also accumulated trinkets, key rings etc, for next to nothing. Amazing how people back here want something from Vegas and just appreciate being thought of.

Also seek out show tickets by day as you can get them cheaper on the day. Plenty of discount booths.

Be wary of setups inside casinos where they offer discount tickets for you to attend some resort opening. Just a timeshare scam really, but if you can say no and want free food and tickets, and have the time, go for it.

I found myself checking out casino foyers by day as these look the same day or night, then seeing the Bellagio Fountains and Mirage Volcano by night along with a spot of gambling and drinking of course. You can see the MGM Lion enclosure for free during the day, or you can pay to see Shark Bay at Mandalay Bay, Titanic exhibit or Bodies exhibit at the Luxor. For fun, Stratosphere has rides on top of it, and Circus Circus has an all day pass for an indoor amusement park that looks cool if you have the time to spare.

To get around, walk walk walk, but you won't be walking the whole strip because it is too long and soon enough it will annoy you just to walk through the car parks at your own hotel. We got monorail tickets that run most of the strip but they stop out the back so you still have some walking to get back to the strip. Again, buses are good if you take the time to work out the timetables. The strip is packed with cars by night so avoid driving late or take the back roads.

If you like food, do the Rio Buffet for dinner - about $20 per head, and is the biggest buffet anywhere. You can get 24 hour buffet of buffets passes for $45 USD (don't forget to allow extra for tax on everything, will probably be about $50) and you get access to 7 buffets at 7 major casinos. Most people wouldn't eat enough to take advantage of this I suspect.

 

[HARKER]

God, I hate Vegas.

Anyway, San Francisco must go close to the best city in the world.
Whatever you want, whichever way you want to do it.
Three distinct areas in Castro, Haight-Ashbury and Chinatown giving you as authentic an experience as you can get.
Alcatraz goes O.K. also.

One of the best National Parks in Yosemite and check out Death Valley

Do give Hollywood and Los Angeles in general a big miss.
Go to Universal don't go to Disneyland.

Good luck kids.

Oh, and god I hate Vegas

 

[camsmith]

lol HARKER I loved Vegas and preferred Disneyland over Universal.. oh and wasn't that impressed with San Fran, although was only there 3 days.

Guess we all have different tastes.

 

[VicO]

Drive out to Hoover Dam and have a look around out there

Did this today. Was quite impressed by the classy decor, quite the opposite to the Vegas tackiness. They just finished the new bridge as well which is quite nice.

Great post odn, thanks for the info. also thinking ofthe Elvis and liberache museums.

I like Vegas like I like times square. Did not do to well on the tables though. Also those aggresive ***** handing out strip club ads really get to you after a while.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Also those aggresive ***** handing out strip club ads really get to you after a while.

I didn't find them aggressive. They held them out but didn't say anything or put them in your face or anything. Hell of a way to earn a living though. And what is up with that ****ing tap tap tap thing they do before they thrust the card out. Bizarre and slightly comical.

At least you haven't run into the Human iPod.

 

[SonOfScray]

How'd you guys find the tipping culture over there?

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

How'd you guys find the tipping culture over there?

Most were laid back about it. Subtle and appreciative was how I found the majority. Only one cab driver got his fare and a small tip (I didn't read the meter properly), and he asked me for more of a tip. A shuttle driver hung around waiting for a tip but I wasn't giving him one because he was 45 minutes late picking us up from out hotel. He eventually left without me having to outright refuse verbally. A couple of waitresses circled while I paid at the register to see what their tip was. Found one of those serious looking register dudes that don't make eye contact at one NYC diner. The waitress was sweating on her cut and I wasn't intending to pay much of a tip because the service was average but I felt guilty and gave a couple of extra bucks.

As I said, most are happy to get something close to 15-18%. Anything over 10% and most would be happy especially on a big bill.

I was intent on doing 15% at least, pretty much all the time. I went to 20% plus for excellent service.

 

[Lets Roar like '44]

To add to the tipping heres a couple of tips:

When you go to a bar, BE SURE to tip your first drink, and put an extra buck or two in, if you sit at the bar you just leave the tip on the counter, dont go looking for tip jars as they generally dont have them in the US. Bar tenders will always serve you if you tip, if you dont tip they simply will make you wait.

If your tipping a person (bell boy, cab, tour guide etc) and your handing them the tip, get your $1 bills that youve accumulated and fold a couple up before giving it to them. Firstly they cant tell what notes youve given, and second if you fold them it looks more.

Remember: if you want to have a good time and enjoy yourself, tip! You will get looked after every time you tip, they love it, they thrive on it. Some Aussies might not like it but when your in another country you do it because thats how they roll over there.

And if you staying at a hotel, leave all your coins on the bed for the housekeeper, they are one that I dont mind tipping as they do get paid shite and do an exceptional job.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

If your tipping a person (bell boy, cab, tour guide etc) and your handing them the tip, get your $1 bills that youve accumulated and fold a couple up before giving it to them. Firstly they cant tell what notes youve given, and second if you fold them it looks more.

I did this frequently. Just seemed a natural way to do it. I waited until all bags were out and they were about to walk away and just slipped it into their palm folded up. I still paid at least 15% but for a short cab ride, you might only tip them a couple of bucks and this seemed kind of cheap even if appropriate, so I could tip them and leave before they counted it. Although most just put it in their pockets.

I did some mental maths, as to how many rides a driver would give in a shift, how many tables someone would wait on etc, and I concluded that if everybody tipped the % expected, some of these people would be making a comfortable living. Take your average airport shuttle driver. Shuttle costs $15 per person, tip on that is $2.25 at 15%. They would get $2 per person tip but let's say $3 if they are handling your luggage. Vans take about 8 people IIRC, so they are making $20-$24 per trip. Take LA. Yes it will take an hour or so to fill the van with people and drop everyone off, and you either have to head back to the airport or get a pick up from a hotel. Hard not to see these guys doing 5 trips in a shift though. So you have $100+ in tips plus your hourly wage which will probably be quite low. It's not big money and it is vital but we do imagine some people living under the poverty line where in reality they might be doing okay.

Waitresses are an interesting one. They might have 6 tables on the go at once, average of an hour per cycle. A $50 check should net them $10 (rounded) if they are decent. There are tables of two mostly I guess, so let's assume they are making $5 tip per table. Still $30 per hour. Their problem is they don't work 8 hour shifts so have to make all their money in 3-4 hours. In some states they make $2.13 per hour as a wage waiting tables plus tips. However I was surprised to learn that in LA, they generally make about $10 per hour (according to our tour guide anyway). Anyway back to the casual waitress, not too bad if you are making $100+ per day for half a days work waiting tables, possibly while attending uni. Most would have more than one job though I suspect or more likely sharing accommodation with a few others.

 

[footylover18]

What should i do with regards to taking money over? Take a lot of cash? Credit card? Travellers cheques? Whats the best way?

 

[HARKER]

lol HARKER I loved Vegas and preferred Disneyland over Universal.. oh and wasn't that impressed with San Fran, although was only there 3 days.

Guess we all have different tastes.

Of course we do.

I just find it funny where people walk into a space and become someone they're not and this is Vegas for you.
People become 30% louder, 40% sexier and 50% more self important.

I've been there once and it would be low on my list of places I would want to go back to.
Maybe the fact I got married there has something to do with it?
I am not sure....

 

[footylover18]

Of course we do.

I just find it funny where people walk into a space and become someone they're not and this is Vegas for you.
People become 30% louder, 40% sexier and 50% more self important.

I've been there once and it would be low on my list of places I would want to go back to.
Maybe the fact I got married there has something to do with it?
I am not sure....

Why is that funny? It's completely understandable and obviously explains in large part why Vegas is so popular. People feel as if they can let go and be 30% louder and 40% sexier and 50% more self important without having to worry about the repercussions. Obviously that's not your cup of tea (i'm going to assume you like drinking tea), which is completely fine but I find it unusual that you fail to see why a place like Vegas would be popular.