US help.

[Shiny Things]

Quite hard to stay within speed limit. Most right lane cars are speeding beyond 125kmh.

Don't worry too much about this. If you keep with the flow of traffic, the cops won't bother with you - I've done 80mph all the way up and down I-280 and had cars passing me on both sides, and the cops have never flinched. (This only applies on freeways though - on residential streets then of course you should stick to the speed limit; and if there's no cars around you then you should stick to the speed limit because you're basically an open target.)

 

[critical888]

if u are at california, try this out :  Alberto's Mexican Food - California Locations - AlbertosWeb.com

my favourite is breakfast burritos

 

[califonia]

We use I-5 alot and I notice both left and right most lane drive very fast. Many a times, I will give way when they approch me fast and furious.

But the route to GC was one hell of a ride. There were no street lamps at night and super heavy fog + rain. We were all praying and try not to loss sight of the truck infront with its faint tail light. That was our only mean to see where we were heading. It lasted for almost 30min!!

Don't worry too much about this. If you keep with the flow of traffic, the cops won't bother with you - I've done 80mph all the way up and down I-280 and had cars passing me on both sides, and the cops have never flinched. (This only applies on freeways though - on residential streets then of course you should stick to the speed limit; and if there's no cars around you then you should stick to the speed limit because you're basically an open target.)

 

[califonia]

I noticed all hotels and resturants served very lousy coffee!!
Why huh?
Every morning we will drive to nearby Starbucks even before we go to lobby for breakfast. We also packed many bottled starbuck coffee in-case cannot find one.

 

[patryn33]

Where u stay? Some place serve Starbucks
Then again which restaurants u go to?

Good coffee isn't Starbucks to begin with
In Cali check these place out
Best Coffee Roasters in America - Ranking and Reviews
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3655362

My klatch house blend latte at San dimas, had another cup at lax
http://www.klatchroasting.com/House_Espres...kla_hou_esp.htm

 

[boiboi123]

anyone have experience driving to death valley using GPS? Read online that signal might be weak, what other options are there?

 

[fone]

anyone have experience driving to death valley using GPS? Read online that signal might be weak, what other options are there?

GPS signal should be fine. It is your cell signal that might be weak. If you are using conventional GPS should be ok, if you are using google maps, pre-loaded the map with wide coverage, that should be fine. Stick to paved roads and look out for signs.

 

[Shiny Things]

I noticed all hotels and resturants served very lousy coffee!!
Why huh?
Every morning we will drive to nearby Starbucks even before we go to lobby for breakfast. We also packed many bottled starbuck coffee in-case cannot find one.

Outside of San Francisco and New York, America has a very... unique... relationship with coffee. This is a country where Dunkin' Donuts counts as a coffee chain. Most of America grew up on "drip" coffee - the watery, weird-tasting stuff you get from running hot water through coffee grounds and serving it out of a vacuum pot. So, in most parts of the country (and in nearly every hotel breakfast bar), that's what you get.

You get acclimatised to it, but there are still mornings where I'd do unspeakable things for a flat white from Two Fingers.

That all said, Starbucks isn't "good" coffee either, not by any stretch of the imagination. San Francisco's always had a thriving coffee scene, and the coffee you get from Ritual Roasters or Sightglass is leaps and bounds beyond SBUX; the lattes are smooth and creamy and nutty, the pour-over is light and flavourful... Starbucks managed to commercialise espresso in America, which is an achievement, but don't think that that's the be-all and end-all of coffee in America.

 

[boiboi123]

GPS signal should be fine. It is your cell signal that might be weak. If you are using conventional GPS should be ok, if you are using google maps, pre-loaded the map with wide coverage, that should be fine. Stick to paved roads and look out for signs.

thanks! I got a garmin gps so hopefully that's fine.

for those who are going, directions can be found here: Directions - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

and they advise drivers that a possible landmark is the post office near the death valley, address: 328 Greenland Blvd. Death Valley, CA 92328

 

[fone]

thanks! I got a garmin gps so hopefully that's fine.

Just be street smart, the GPS might not always be right. Note that by deviating from the GPS path, it will adjust to you, and not following it blindly.

Get a free map just in case, you can get from the tourist information center, or car rental place, or at rest stops.

 

[critical888]

kinda miss ... panda express...

i also bought a irobot roomba from usa. not sure if its cheaper in usa. but thought it will be heavy to post so buy first.. from jc penny

 

[genie47]

kinda miss ... panda express...

i also bought a irobot roomba from usa. not sure if its cheaper in usa. but thought it will be heavy to post so buy first.. from jc penny

iRobot is cheap there. Just come back go SLT I forgot what shop to convert to local voltage for the docking station.

 

[critical888]

oh i need that leh how much ah?

 

[plexxor]

Can i check where generally have the best exchange rates to change to USD?

 

[Shiny Things]

for those who are going, directions can be found here: Directions - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

and they advise drivers that a possible landmark is the post office near the death valley, address: 328 Greenland Blvd. Death Valley, CA 92328

Err - try "Greenland Ranch Road". There's no Greenland Boulevard. If it doesn't like that (I know Google Maps doesn't), then searching for "Furnace Creek Ranch" should get you to exactly the same place.

But yes, it also helps to have a paper map just in case.

And a good rule of thumb in Death Valley is "never leave the paved roads" - if your GPS (or your navigator) is telling you to turn onto a dirt track, it's wrong. Trying to drive off the tarmac in Death Valley if you don't know what you're doing will get you killed.

 

[Shiny Things]

Can i check where generally have the best exchange rates to change to USD?

Change Alley if you want cash. But don't bring any more than a couple hundred bucks in cash, or you'll run the risk of getting mugged and losing it all.

Your best bet is to bring a couple hundred in cash to pay for the taxi from the airport and any incidentals like that; and then put the rest on your credit card.

 

[boiboi123]

Err - try "Greenland Ranch Road". There's no Greenland Boulevard. If it doesn't like that (I know Google Maps doesn't), then searching for "Furnace Creek Ranch" should get you to exactly the same place.

But yes, it also helps to have a paper map just in case.

And a good rule of thumb in Death Valley is "never leave the paved roads" - if your GPS (or your navigator) is telling you to turn onto a dirt track, it's wrong. Trying to drive off the tarmac in Death Valley if you don't know what you're doing will get you killed.

Thanks for the advice!

I just searched up 'Greenland Boulevard' and indeed google maps doesn't agree with this street name. I noted that the correct street on google maps should be Greenland Ranch Road instead.

However, 'Greenland Boulevard' does appear on my Garmin GPS, and it is exactly where 'Greenland Ranch Road' on googlemaps is. I searched for post office in death valley and on USPS website it returns as Greenland Boulevard too.

I don't know why there's a discrepancy in the road names, but it's definitely good to know

 

[y0nGsAn]

Change Alley if you want cash. But don't bring any more than a couple hundred bucks in cash, or you'll run the risk of getting mugged and losing it all.

Your best bet is to bring a couple hundred in cash to pay for the taxi from the airport and any incidentals like that; and then put the rest on your credit card.

Hi,

Can I check if you guys change to USD here in Singapore before going or you use credit card (which rates are pretty bad)?

I am thinking of changing to USD before going and not use card at all.

Thanks!

 

[critical888]

I say don't carry too much and hold cash on body. Bring a card. Change some for sure to get it started

 

[purplewave]

US is a card society, may places do not accept cash note of more than $20, however, you can use card in almost 99% of the shops, even $1.. So there you go, prepare enough cash and always being a card.

Hi,

Can I check if you guys change to USD here in Singapore before going or you use credit card (which rates are pretty bad)?

I am thinking of changing to USD before going and not use card at all.

Thanks!