US help.

[keigo0]

oh no..nyc got its first ebola case..arghh...

 

[Telur17]

oh no..nyc got its first ebola case..arghh...

matter of time before it hits nyc. life goes on.

 

[Telur17]

MTA is government subsidised? If so, that is the reason why they have issues.

On the other hand, SMRT is a private company exploiting our pockets.



It was the place I stayed in then. I do recall seeing two-knobs/handle for hot and cold water at the toilet I visited at Chelsea's Market too though!

yes, MTA is government subsidise.

chelsea market has shower stalls? I didn't know that.

 

[paul02]

yes, MTA is government subsidise.

chelsea market has shower stalls? I didn't know that.

Not shower, basin.

 

[patryn33]

MTA is government subsidised? If so, that is the reason why they have issues.

On the other hand, SMRT is a private company exploiting our pockets.!

Well SMRT is own by temasek and temasek is own by singapore gov.. A way for gov to make $$

MTA is run publically the huge income disparity in metro nyc will cause problem if cost go up, the same with housing. No matter how it's done there will be an issue, no solution yet

 

[paul02]

Well SMRT is own by temasek and temasek is own by singapore gov.. A way for gov to make $$

*begin rant;*

We both know that means nothing. F****** B******* people with paper degrees and affiliations to secure the highest management woes. Private is private. They get fined, money goes into the other pocket.

Fares keep increasing yet services are seeing declines. A good example of a well-maintained system is one like Japan's which does it ever so often.

Here, no breakdown, no fault and they'll just let it run till something happens. Then when something happens they fix it with cable tie: like using scotch tape to hold two broken pieces together for as long as it can hold up.

Come on...really?

*end rant*

Anyway I heard they are (MTA) going to increase fares by 15%!

 

[patryn33]

matter of time before it hits nyc. life goes on.

I agree, with so many ppl flying in and out of major airport it's a matter of time. No one locking up at home or suiting up

 

[califonia]

I goggled the address to Gold & Silver Pawn shop in LV. Is it worth visiting?

 

[Shiny Things]

I goggled the address to Gold & Silver Pawn shop in LV. Is it worth visiting?

Yeah, I'd say so. If you're a fan of Pawn Stars (and I am) it's definitely a must-do, and you might even be able to pick up a unique souvenir or two (it'll be a lot more unique than a tacky t-shirt or a shot glass from the souvenir stores at the casinos).

And it's not too far from the Fremont Street Experience, the formerly-run-down-but-now-up-and-coming downtown Las Vegas strip (less famous than the "real" Las Vegas strip, but still really good fun).

 

[califonia]

Thanks Shiny!!

Has included it into my itinerary. But looking at the goggle photos, a long queue just to get in??? Hopefully can get a glimpse of the old man.

Btw, I was also searhcing for a good Tattoo shop. Found Highvoltage Tatto (former LA Ink by Kat Von D) in Hollywood area. Any idea any famous Tat shop in southern area?

Yeah, I'd say so. If you're a fan of Pawn Stars (and I am) it's definitely a must-do, and you might even be able to pick up a unique souvenir or two (it'll be a lot more unique than a tacky t-shirt or a shot glass from the souvenir stores at the casinos).

And it's not too far from the Fremont Street Experience, the formerly-run-down-but-now-up-and-coming downtown Las Vegas strip (less famous than the "real" Las Vegas strip, but still really good fun).

 

[Shiny Things]

Btw, I was also searhcing for a good Tattoo shop. Found Highvoltage Tatto (former LA Ink by Kat Von D) in Hollywood area. Any idea any famous Tat shop in southern area?

You're going to have a bit of trouble getting in to High Voltage Tattoo, because it burned down last week.

Seriously though, I have absolutely no idea about tattoo shops. Try Yelp maybe?

 

[califonia]

OMG

Was planning to make a booking as it can take weeks for availability.

You're going to have a bit of trouble getting in to High Voltage Tattoo, because it burned down last week.

Seriously though, I have absolutely no idea about tattoo shops. Try Yelp maybe?

 

[techman03]

hi guys,

any advice on which car rental company to rent from?

 

[califonia]

There are many, i use below

Car Hire 3000 - Book cheap car hire | Car rental online
https://www.americacarrental.com/

hi guys,

any advice on which car rental company to rent from?

 

[critical888]

coming to the issue of car rental, any sg credit card provide free car insurance when overseas?

 

[Hoshino84]

Hi all,

I had gone through the whole thread and I will be travelling to the states during this period and came up with the following itinerary:-

Arriving LV on 29th Dec 2014 Evening
Departing LA to SG on 12th Jan 2015 Afternoon

I'll will be travelling with my wife(Honeymoon trip) as well as my parents on this trip.

Accommodation will be provided by the Casinos in Vegas as my dad will be gambling throughout the period.

Day 1, 29th Dec 2014 - Day 4, 1st Jan 2014

- Resting for the first two days, watching shows at night, visiting the Casinos, Pinball museums, have a go at the Gun range etc.

Day 5 - 2nd Jan 2015

- I will begin by renting a car in Vegas(first time driving in the states and issit alright if i rent on that day or should i book online now?).
- Drive to Hoover Dam
- Back by night for dinner and maybe another show

Day 6 - 3rd Jan 2015

- Driving to Valley of Fire and back to the strip by night

Day 7 - 4th Jan 2015

- Driving to Zion National Park and staying for a night? Possible?

Day 8 - 5th Jan 2015

- Drive to Red Rock Canyon from ZIon National Park and returning back to the Strip at night.

Day 9 - 6th Jan 2015

- Drive to Grand Canyon, stay a night at the GC Village(still possible to get accommodation now?)

Day 10 - 7th Jan 2015

- Drive back to The Strip and chill around for the rest of the day.

Day 11 - 8th Jan 2015

- Drive to the Death Valley and back to the Strip at night.

Day 12, 9th Jan 2015 - Day 14, 11th Jan 2015

- Really don't have any idea what to do, Maybe i spend too many days in Vegas? Or should i split this trip into 2 places like Vegas and SF?

Hope for any feedback on my above itinerary!

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi all,

I had gone through the whole thread and I will be travelling to the states during this period and came up with the following itinerary:-

You're spending way too much time in Vegas. Three or four nights in Vegas itself is plenty, even if you're spending some time shaking off the jet-lag.

You've got the right idea about getting out of town for a bit, but you can do even better. Let's shuffle things around a bit.

First question: where to stay?

This is your honeymoon, so let's pick something a little bit magical. If your dad's a Caesars/Harrahs loyalist, then the answer is obviously Caesars; if he's an MGM loyalist (and if he's not, he should be; they're the best in Vegas) then the answer is the SkySuites at the Aria, or the 2-bedroom penthouse suite at the Vdara. They're not cheap - you're looking high three figures a night - but split the cost with your dad, let him subsidise the room with his play, and I'm sure they won't mind hooking you up.

Second: what to do?

Your idea of spending a few days lazing around is good (though it'll be cool in Vegas by then, so don't expect to spend too much time by the pool).

After that, though, you'll want to get out of town. Because you're there in December it'll be a bit tricky to do some of the really cool stuff (the road up to Bryce Canyon might be snowed in, for example), but you can still do plenty of things.

Red Rock Canyon is only half an hour's drive from the Strip - you can do that one morning, just rent a car and duck out there and go for a walk in the desert and then come back.

Death Valley is a couple of hours' drive from the Strip, so you can do that as a day trip as well.

On day 4 or 5, though, you'll probably be ready to get out of town. So rent a car (it'll probably be cheaper if you pre-book it) and head out of town. We're not going to come back to the strip for a few days, so bring your stuff.

The places you want to visit, if you draw them on a map, kind of make a big loop. So let's do that loop.

Start off by heading north up I-15. Take the Moapa exit toward the Valley of Fire State Park, and drop in there for a visit; when you're done, keep going through the park, then turn north on NV-169 and hop back on I-15 northbound.

Cut through Arizona and up into Utah; head up the hill to the cute little village of Springdale, and spend a night in there at the foot of Zion National Park. Normally at this point I'd recommend heading up through Zion to Bryce Canyon, and from there to Capitol Reef and over to Arches and Moab, but that road goes up to 10,000 feet, and in December it'll be completely snowed in. So instead, head to Kanab by whichever road is open, and from there to the cute little town of Page.

From Page, it's a quick jaunt down Route 89-T to Grand Canyon Village, where you can spend your second night. On the way, just before you turn off US-89 into Grand Canyon National Park, stop off at the Cameron Trading Post and pick up some awesome Navajo and Hopi souvenirs. (Also, if you can't get a room in Grand Canyon Village, the motel at Cameron is pretty serviceable.) Springdale to GCV is about a five-hour drive, and there's some phenomenal scenery on the way - so that's your second day on the road.

Spend the third morning on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, taking photos and ooh-ing and aah-ing at the scenery.

In the afternoon, hop in the car and head back toward Vegas. You'll pass over the Hoover Dam on your way back - so you can stop and take photos, or even do the tour if you get there early enough - and you'll be back in Vegas by the evening of the third day. Dump the car, treat yourself to a meal at Sage in the Aria, and celebrate: you've just completed a classic American road trip.

At this point you'll have been on tour for a bit over a week, and you'll probably have exhausted everything that there is to do in Vegas. At this point, it's a good idea to hop over to SF (it's a 90-minute flight on Virgin America) and spend a few days there for a change of scenery. It'll be a bit cool in January, but it'll still be great fun.

 

[denial86]

So.. I'm hoping to go to US for my honeymoon next year, sometime in July. But right now I have nooooo idea how to go about planning anything. Seems like visiting a tour agency might be the easiest, but before that I want to give it a shot first before I give up.

The plan is to be for 2weeks. We will head to California first where we want to go to Disneyland, Six Flags, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite Parks, and maybe relax abit on a beach if there's time. (July is Summertime right?)

I'm not sure how many days those places above will take up, and/or if 2weeks is enough. Was hoping to be able to take a domestic flight up to NYC for the second half of the trip for some shopping and also see the Niagara Falls while we're there. (The HTB is a sightseeing buff.)

Can someone let me know if I'm asking for too much for a 2weeks stint?

My HTB drives but we're hoping not to spend like half a day driving to every location each time. And also not sure how easy it is to get lost in the US, don't know if the GPS works as amazingly as like in Korea and Japan, lol.

Additionally, I'm trying to gauge the budget we should set aside for this and it would be great if someone could give an estimate on typically how much it costs for flights and hotels if possible.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Hoshino84]

Hi Shiny Things, appreciate your detailed suggestions on the itinerary and i have revised accordingly:-


Day 1, 29th Dec 2014 - Day 3, 31st Dec 2014

- Resting from jetlag and exploring the Strip


Day 4, 1st January 2015

- I'll rent a car starting from this day, begin with visiting the Red Rock Canyon and also the premium outlets to bring the ladies shopping .

Good to start getting a feel of how it is to drive in the states since its my first time driving here. Are the traffic rules roughly the same as in Singapore?

And also i know nuts about cars, so is there any comfy car(tempted to try the ford mustang as recommended by bro Shiny Things) to recommend for 3 people as this will be my first road trip and i'm the only driver.


Day 5, 2nd January 2015

- Visit the Death Valley and back to the Strip.


Day 6, 3rd January 2015

- Start of The Loop roadtrip as suggested, first stop to Valley of Fire State Park. Maybe spend roughly 2 hrs here.

- Drive to Zion National Park from Valley of Fire and I would like to stay at the Zion National Park Lodge and experience staying overnight in their Western Cabin. Is a night stay here enough to cover the whole Zion Park? Not sure if we should hike the whole park and maybe stay 2 nights here instead?


Day 7, 4th January 2015

- Explore Zion Park in the morning and depart for the Grand Canyon Village around 12 noon.

- Stop by Cameron Trading Post for a break as recommended, should reach GCV around late evening. I will try to book a night stay at the El Tovar Hotel.


Day 8, 5th January 2015

- Explore the south rim of GC.
- Drive to Hoover Dam and then back to Vegas.


Day 9, 6th January 2015

- Rest and chill around The Strip


Day 10, 7th January 2015 - Day 14, 11th January 2015 ( Most likely will only be my wife and I)

- Probably catch a early morning flight to SF on 7th Jan
- Not sure what we can do at SF from 7th - 10th Jan. Up for suggestions anyone?
- Back to Vegas to meet up with my parents on the 11th Jan.

Day 15th, 12th January 2015

- Flight to LA and back to Singapore!


Some side question :-

Is Google Maps on my Iphone 5 sufficient to navigate the whole road trip? Mostly likely getting a T-Mobile SIM card from bro Critical888 before the trip.

Thanks for reading and hope for some valuable inputs from the experts here!

 

[califonia]

On the topic of driving in the States.
I have booked a car for my entire trip but not sure what is the best options for :-

1. in SF. Any car park near the Pier that I can park for say half to a day? That will be the time I visit Alcatraz and have lunch/dinner by the Pier.

2. In LV, my kids say they'll like to hop from hotel to hotel to view heir theme and preferably amusement parks. Which hotels are recommended for kids and is it relatively easy to park in the hotel though we are not staying in? BTW, we are staying in Aria so I think not much for the kids there.