US help.

[paul02]

hi guys. i just came back from US.

I am selling my AT&T sim card. it cost 69.90 usd there. i only used it for a week, should have more than 1GB data inside.

Am looking to sell it at 25sgd. anyone interested? PM me for details

Keeping in View! What's the original data amount anyway? Using iPhone 4S.

 

[Ari~ko]

Cool! Thanks

Is hotel @Queens /Long island worth to explore?(based on @S$200 budget)
Comparing to the Wyndam@ Chinatown that you have suggested.
Accessibility ? Safety wise.

TIA

 

[winorlose]

I arrived at LA yesterday. Rented a Ford Focus for 5 days till Las Vegas. Yesterday went to Hollywood and I just finished LA Disneyland 30mins ago

Heading to Vegas tmr! huat ah!

 

[patryn33]

Is hotel @Queens /Long island worth to explore?(based on @S$200 budget)
Comparing to the Wyndam@ Chinatown that you have suggested.
Accessibility ? Safety wise.

TIA

Wyndam not in sgd$200 budget irrc.
after tax and fees its US$220-300 (sgd$275-375) a nite.
its close to Grand Metro, its accessible in my books.
safety wise comparing to Queens on long Island.. hmmm Queens is alot bigger than chinatown. U'll find shady area.

ppl working in a upscale U think they wouldn't like to risk their lives.
or maybe they all carry guns. LOL

 

[paul02]

Iirc shiny things is based in metro San Fran,...
If u go big apple u will have to pay him nice air fare and lodging to be your guide

i can point out some sights but don't stay in the hotels so donno which is reasonably priced and good. I've heard recommendations of BnBs too but was not recommended any specific one

Both of you be my guides

 

[Telur17]

Wyndam not in sgd$200 budget irrc.
after tax and fees its US$220-300 (sgd$275-375) a nite.
its close to Grand Metro, its accessible in my books.
safety wise comparing to Queens on long Island.. hmmm Queens is alot bigger than chinatown. U'll find shady area.

ppl working in a upscale U think they wouldn't like to risk their lives.
or maybe they all carry guns. LOL

Wyndham in LIC is less than 200. To me, the location is ok. Got shuttle bus to E train which is 1 stop away from Manhatten midtown. about 10 mins walk to Gantry State Park where there's a great view of Manhattan itself. Safety wise, its quite ok ar. Wyndham Garden Long Island City / Manhattan View Hotel, Queens, United States Overview | Priceline.com Hotels

 

[critical888]

for usa prepaid sim card, look no further than your local area grab it and go!!

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/t...nd-wifi-hotspot-mifi-korea-japan-4656245.html

stay connected on the move....

 

[califonia]

Anyone driven from SFO to Las Vegas? Googlemap says approx 9.5hrs. Will it be stressful for first time driver in States?
Alternatively can take a flight but that will set us US$130*4.

 

[juventusfc27]

singaporean travelling alone for first time here. need double confirmation from u guys...

1) if im stopping over @ Dubai Intl Airport (DXB), i dont need any visa right? went this link below and it says no
Embassy of the UAE in Singapore » FAQs

2) do i need to apply for anything else besides ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) if im travelling to Seattle, USA?

3) if im using a Samsung Galaxy S3, where and how do i go about getting 3G network in Seattle? i read from somewhere here that i can approach any AT&T / T-mobile shop for help, but i cant seem to find the link anymore?

thanks

 

[fuzleh]

singaporean travelling alone for first time here. need double confirmation from u guys...

1) if im stopping over @ Dubai Intl Airport (DXB), i dont need any visa right? went this link below and it says no
Embassy of the UAE in Singapore » FAQs

2) do i need to apply for anything else besides ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) if im travelling to Seattle, USA?

3) if im using a Samsung Galaxy S3, where and how do i go about getting 3G network in Seattle? i read from somewhere here that i can approach any AT&T / T-mobile shop for help, but i cant seem to find the link anymore?

thanks

AFAIK, so long u stopover, never exit departure dont need visa for transiting country

 

[patryn33]

Anyone driven from SFO to Las Vegas? Googlemap says approx 9.5hrs. Will it be stressful for first time driver in States?
Alternatively can take a flight but that will set us US$130*4.

Different ppl handle stress differently, with plenty of rest stop u can start your day at 8am and arrive at 8-9pm. If u ok with that wouldn't be too bad. If u not flexible with time can be stessful

 

[Shiny Things]

singaporean travelling alone for first time here. need double confirmation from u guys...

2) do i need to apply for anything else besides ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) if im travelling to Seattle, USA?

Nope. Just the ESTA is fine.

3) if im using a Samsung Galaxy S3, where and how do i go about getting 3G network in Seattle? i read from somewhere here that i can approach any AT&T / T-mobile shop for help, but i cant seem to find the link anymore?

That would have been me saying that. Yep, just rock up to any AT&T store and they should be able to sort you out; if they won't help you, try a T-Mo store.

 

[Shiny Things]

Anyone driven from SFO to Las Vegas? Googlemap says approx 9.5hrs. Will it be stressful for first time driver in States?
Alternatively can take a flight but that will set us US$130*4.

I'd strongly recommend flying. Here's the thing: that drive won't be stressful, but it will be HELLA BORING.

First and foremost, thanks for looking at Googlemaps before you posted. For anyone else reading this, here's the map we're looking at.

So you can see that your route is basically from SF across to I-5, then south on I-5 to Bakersfield, then west on US-395 to I-15, then northwest on I-15 to Vegas.

I-5 is famously the most boring interstate in the world (though I've driven I-80 through Wyoming and let me tell you that's nothing special either). It's miles and miles of nothing but non-stop four-lane highway - no cities, nothing to break up the monotony. Bakersfield is a hole that's mostly famous for being one of the epicentres of the housing bubble five years ago. US-395 and I-15 are nothing but desert.

So really, that drive absolutely sucks. It'll get you from SF to LV, but you won't have any fun doing it. And if Googlemaps says nine hours nonstop driving, it'll be twelve hours once you factor in rest stops.

You've got two alternatives, both of which are better than that miserable-ass drive through Bakersfield.

If you can add a night in the middle, the first alternative is to go through Yosemite (the second route on that map). It's mind-bogglingly beautiful; you get to climb up to nearly 10,000 feet high as you summit the Tioga Pass; and you can take a quick side-trip to the unearthly bristlecone pine groves in the White Mountains. The only catch is that you have to spend a night in the middle - probably in the cute little town of Bishop - which will set you back a couple hundred, and it seems like cost is a consideration here. (But if you're trying to make a memory, this is definitely the way to go.)

Your second alternative is to suck it up and fly. This is probably the way to go - for $130 each, you get to cut your travel time from twelve hours to about three hours. You'll be a lot happier, it'll give you more time in Vegas, and you won't be mad at each other by the time you get there.

 

[invisible999]

Anyone driven from SFO to Las Vegas? Googlemap says approx 9.5hrs. Will it be stressful for first time driver in States?
Alternatively can take a flight but that will set us US$130*4.

Depends on your available time vs. convenience. I used to drive with friends when younger and had no money for the same reason. Now my time is much more valuable.

If you've never driven in States, it would take some time to adjust but you will be fine. From SFO to LAS it is US101s->CA152e->I5s->CA99s->CA58e->I15n. I have done this drive number of times and if you've never seen California from road, it is an interesting experience for first time, especially when you turn from I5 towards east - Tehachapi and area is really fun if you are interesting in wind turbines and aerospace industry.

Couple words of caution on I-5, especially if your only driving experience is coming from Singapore and Malaysia:

- Do not drive more than 80mph. Locals know how to avoid Highway Patrol and where they usually are located (read near CA33 and similar roads intersection). You do not. They know how to handle the car when you pass huge tracks on your right and left. You do not. Don't do it.

- Do not tailgate - i.e. drive dangerously close to the car in front of you. I yesterday came from JB-Malacca bus trip and I am telling you - the way people drive on highway, especially on terms of distance between cars would result 90% of those drivers put in jail in States for tailgating and reckless driving. Reckless driving in California is second worst offense after drunk driving, they won't give you a ticket but rather take directly to jail. Again, don't do it.

- If you decide to drive slowly and cool - great. However, do not drive in left (fast) lane with 65-70mph. This is one thing which can drive any Californian into complete nuts. You've passed - move over!

Good luck.

 

[invisible999]

I-5 is famously the most boring interstate in the world (though I've driven I-80 through Wyoming and let me tell you that's nothing special either). It's miles and miles of nothing but non-stop four-lane highway - no cities, nothing to break up the monotony.

You have not been on US50/US6 from Fallon, NV to Delta UT. Trust me, the only thing compares to this is drive from Adelaide to Alice Springs.

But for me it is one of the fun-ist drives in States. Only only because you can really test how fast your car can go... It is also only place in States (outside of Alaska) where your car's radio does not pick up any stations not only on FM, but on AM as well...

 

[califonia]

Hi to Patryn33, Shiny Things and invisible999,

Thanks for your tips. Yes, we decide to fly SF-LV. 10hr drive alone is just too much for me to take. It will surely stressed my kids too. Still, there will be a few bits of driving for my planned journey. It checked that they all takes around 5hrs each. But, since its December time, anything I should know about driving in winter time? (esp in GC? Booked myself in The Grand Hotel, wonder where this hotel is near to???)

SF(fly) - LV - GC - LV - LA - SD - LA - (home)

oh, i also decide to ditch my car in SF, choose to stay in town instead.

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi to Patryn33, Shiny Things and invisible999,

Thanks for your tips. Yes, we decide to fly SF-LV. 10hr drive alone is just too much for me to take. It will surely stressed my kids too.

Great move. You won't regret it.

Still, there will be a few bits of driving for my planned journey. It checked that they all takes around 5hrs each. But, since its December time, anything I should know about driving in winter time? (esp in GC?

Yeah - in December, you may well run into snow up at Grand Canyon National Park. It's 6,000 feet high, and gets snow all the time; I've seen snow there as early as October. You might need to rent chains; check the forecast for Grand Canyon Village when you pick the car up, and drive carefully.

Booked myself in The Grand Hotel, wonder where this hotel is near to???)

Googlemaps, dude. It's at the entrance to GCNP, about seven miles from the actual South Rim. There's probably a shuttlebus though.

oh, i also decide to ditch my car in SF, choose to stay in town instead.

Great move.

You've picked well. Enjoy the trip!

 

[patryn33]

Spent few yrs living in AZ, been there in dec. even when it snow there is no need for chain. It's something with Californian and chain I bet, ppl living up north in NYC, Minnesota just laugh at the idea. Oh I did spent afew yrs in Minnesota too.

As long they clear the snow no worries. In dec only 3-4 days of snow days. If u are in the middle of snow storm drive slow keep around 10 miles per hour. I been in numerous snow storm driving in compact or full size car without chains.

 

[califonia]

Good to hear that.

The other option is to stay in LV for the whole week and book a
shuttle to/fro between LV/GC for a day tour. It sounds safer but I think it's probably more fun to do a slow drive to GC, spend a night there to enjoy its scenery.

Spent few yrs living in AZ, been there in dec. even when it snow there is no need for chain. It's something with Californian and chain I bet, ppl living up north in NYC, Minnesota just laugh at the idea. Oh I did spent afew yrs in Minnesota too.

As long they clear the snow no worries. In dec only 3-4 days of snow days. If u are in the middle of snow storm drive slow keep around 10 miles per hour. I been in numerous snow storm driving in compact or full size car without chains.

 

[invisible999]

But, since its December time, anything I should know about driving in winter time? (esp in GC? Booked myself in The Grand Hotel, wonder where this hotel is near to???)

Oh my... look at this post, it was taken 1 month ago.

On the top of GC (and if you are lucky if it is open) in winter times temperature goes -15C during the day. And if there is a wind (and it will be), with windchill it is -25C.

Check weather forecast before you go AND dress adequately! and check what are average temp during the week/days you are going to stay.