Hardcore travel spots

1) Costa rica- tropical bungee – 40 minutes along the Pan American Highway west of the capital, San Jose. You jump over a lush gorge on a no-traffic bridge. Jumps are done Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 2pm. Weekday trips are done with at least 4 persons. Transportation to the bridge costs $7 extra. They have been in business since September 1991.

Bilingual jumpmasters. Bridge (265 ft)

2) Ontario Canada – wilderness tower whitewater – The tower is located over the water of the Ottawa River at our Whitewater Rafting Resort. World-class whitewater rafting and kayak school. Full service resort with camping, cabins, chalets, log homes and cottages for rent. Season from May to September. Locted only 1.5 hour drive from Ottawa.

3) Equipe Adrena- Bungee Brazil -This is probably the tallest Bungee Jump of South America. There is just one taller arround, the one in Costa Rica in wich you jump from a Bridge. We are thinking to arrange jumps from helicopters and from a bridge its not that far (by car) from São Paulo.

4) Near Quito Ecuador- andes adrenaline adventures- This place is awesome, because you can skydive, and bungee jump, for 80$ US you can get 2 bungee jumps, and for a little more you can skydive. its an awesome spot.

5) Cuzco Peru- Hot air Balloon bugee- $40 US approx, A hot air balloon over the Sacsayhuaman Inca ruins. I’m told the jump is approx 100m. Jumps are only done from about 7-10.00am, before the wind picks up. But who wouldnt want to jump out of a hot air balloon, thats awesome!

6) Guatemala- Maya bungee- Maya expiditions. One of the bridges used is over the Rio Dulce river, a lovely tropical river with beautiful view, and the jumper may splash into the water. it super cheap 30$ for a jump, and they have lots of other stuff too, hiking, rock climbing, white water, etc…

7) Chile- Santiago – skydive andes – This is the most epic skydiving experience you will ever have. The best views around, the flight up is insane, and you get dropped at 9,000 feet in one of the most beautiful places around. these gys are good too, most of the skydiving videos you see around are from these guys.

Mexico – La Quebrada Cliffs – A group called the La Quebrada Cliff Divers performs death-defying dives nightly, with torches lighting the rock wall. This is the best cliff diving in the whole world in my mind. Epic height, and crazy adrenaline rush!.

9) Switzerland – Ponte Brolla- This place is best for professionals. World High Diving Federation held their European Cliff Diving Championships here – A very dangerous spot. Have to have juevos to make this jump.

10) Turkey – Corhu River, Class V rapids in May and June, thanks to melting snow in the Pontic Mountains, are run on day trips past ancient ruins and through vast canyons and valleys. This is an extreme run suitable for only die hard whitewater fanatics.

Before taking a tour, here are some questions to ask?

How much does the tour cost? Make sure your getting the value of how much the tour costs. some tours will hike up there prices if there a popular tour, it doesn’t mean its any better than a similiar tour.

What does the price included? Many Tours skip out on certain places you may want to see. always ask what the tour included, to get the best for your enjoyment.

What locations does the tour go? If there is a place you really want to see, by all means dont take a tour that doesn’t go there. Don’t waste you time going places you have no interest in.

How long is the tour? Is it overnight? Some tours can be overnight, and very lengthy. In my experience, always add about an hour or 2 of time to what they say.

What kind of transportation? Some tours are Bus, some Van, some helicopter. Make sure you know exactly what you will be travelling in on the tour. I would hate to take a helicopter ride if im afraid of heights.

Is there admission to certain sights as an additional charge? Some museums and park charge a fee that is not included in the tour, make sure you find out if the tour is hitting these locations.

If the tour doesn’t fill up, will the price increase? In some instances, a tour will not fill up, and you will be charged extra for the empty seats. Not cool when it happens, trust me.

Are there any other costs? Reservation fees, guide fees, Park fees, can sometimes be hidden on certain tours. Be sure to ask.

Is the guide included in the cost? How long has he or she been a guide? The guide may be payed by the tour company, but not always, and they can come at a hefty price. Also be sure to find out how long he or she has been working, because i wouldn’t want a high school kid messing around with his buddies on an expensive tour.

Is it an insightful tour? Cities, Art, History? Make sure its insightful. I can’t tell you how many tours i have been on that i do not learn a thing. It makes it hard to be a memorable experience.

How many tourists will be on the tour? There is nothing worse than a huge crowded tour. It makes more difficult to see the sights and retain information. Keep it small.

How much free time is allowed, e.g. museum, city? Make sure the tour your on allows for some free time to get away from the tour. Hours and hours of the same person giving you info is not fun. If i want to spend an hour staring at the Mona Lisa, or browsing the streets, i should be able to.

Are meals included? The best tours include meals in the price. It is fun to eat the local cuisine, and you will be hungry on a long tour.

Are children allowed on the tour? You may want to take your kids with you, if so, always an important question to ask. You also may not want screaming kiddos running around ruining your tour. To each his own, your choice.

Is smoking allowed? Some people hate smoking, and some may need a drag in the middle of the tour. Always ask. In my experience, most tours allow smoking.

Are optional private tours allowed? how much? You may want to take a private tour to a certain place, if so, ask. they may cost more, or not even have them.

Is there a refund if i cancel? I can’t emphasize enought how important this question is. Something may happen where you cannot go on the tour, it would be nice to get your money back.

Are prices lower for off season tours? In the off season tours can be more inexpensive due to weather, tourist times, non holidays. Do the research and ask.

Is insurance included?Something may go wrong on the tour, God Forbid, but it does happen. Never take a tour that doesn’t let you buy some sort of insurance.

Do you take credit cards? Credit Card companies can help you resolve any problems you may have with the tour company after the tour. It also shows the tour company is well established.

How long have you been in buisness? Never take a tour from a company that has just started. You never know what your going to get when you take that chance. Stick with the oldest tour companies.

BE INFORMED!

Tip 1 – The Scuffle Pickpocket. Assume beggars and pickpockets use distractions such as a scuffle or fight to take your belongings. If you stop for any commotion or fight, put your hands in your pockets before the theives do. Theives will set up these scams regularly on the busiest streets. For Example, i was walking down the streets of Barcelona when i saw a women being, what looked like, attacked by a mugger, she yelled for the police, a man dressed in a police uniform came over and tackled the man gave her the purse she lost back. Little did i know, half the large crowd watching were losing there wallets. The so called cop, women and mugger, were all in on the pickpocket scam. The good news is you can avoid such scams. Most Pickpockets look like well dressed buisnessmen. Some pose as tourists with backpacks, and cameras. Best bet, is to always wear a money belt.

Tip 2 – Street games. Avoid playing any street games with the vendors. Many places in other countries have street vendors with games and magical tricks that are designed to take your cash. I think we have all seen the “find the ball in the cup game”. You Pay to guess where the ball will end up in the cups. You can be sure that the players are all being scammed, and the winners are set up by the theives. You will only be throwing your money away. Another subtle scam is that of the street performers/magicians. These theives are trained in the art of dissaperaing money. Stear clear of performers, cuz you will walk away with no money in your wallet.

Tip 3 – Taxi Cab – This can be the most rampant scam in other countries. Many taxi drivers overcharge tourists for a taxi ride. Sometimes they will drop a big bill, and grab a smaller bill, and say you underpayed. They will charge you night rates on the meter, and expect gratuity, even in the day. To decrease your odds of getting ripped off, try looking for Taxis at Hotels and make sure they have a phone number for you to call. You can always agree on a price, without even running the meter. This helps for no confusion later. If the cabbie wont give you a ride for your price, get out and leave, most cabbies will want your buisness and say ok.

Tip 4 – Police scam – Many Police in other countries use there power to take the cash of tourists. They will ask to search your belongings for drugs, or your wallet for counterfeit money. When really all they are doing is taking your stuff. Also beware of fake cops, they will flash there counterfeit badges, and do the same routine. A good rule is, just because someone looks official it doesnt mean they are. Dont let the gun, badge, and uniform fool you.

Tip 5 – Be Alert – Whenever cash is involved in traveling, always stay alert. the theives want you to be distracted. Whether your on a train, in a hotel, or just roaming the streets, etc… Always be on the lookout for something to get taken. Never open your door to anyone in a hotel. Never make good friends with someone on a train, who is just feeding to get your information. When at a Bank, always go in, and dont use the ATM. Be careful once inside the bank, never give more info than you need to. The word NO is known in most of the world, and its a powerful word that gets people off your back.

The world is generally not a dangerous place, but always be aware that theives want to seperate you from your money and belongings no mater where you go. Don’t let it ruin your trip, by all means enjoy your travels.
]]> http://www.gustey.com/beware-of-travel-scams/feed 0 http://www.gustey.com/the-best-places-to-find-a-toilet http://www.gustey.com/the-best-places-to-find-a-toilet#comments Tue, 18 May 2010 02:13:25 +0000 gustey http://www.gustey.com/?p=141 When traveling to a foreign land, travelers always have great bathroom stories. Some Hilarious, some traumatic, and some, that just want to make you stay at home. Most of the stories told are about how gross and disgusting the toilets are around the world. Some places if you can even find one, your a virtual Sherlock Holmes. We are spoiled as Americans with our thrones to sit on, we are the minority throughout the world when it comes to our toilets. I have put together some places you wont want to miss, if your a full bladder tourist, and some of the quircky things people use to take a crap.

Places to find Toilets abroad

Museums – If you plan on visiting any museums while your abroad, go to the John, while your there. If you dont plan on visiting one, it might be worth waiting in line for one, just to go to the bathroom. You might miss your chance for usually a fairly nice bathroom.

Public buildings – look for department stores, government buildings, libraries, etc…You may not find these bathrooms to be up to your taste, but at least its a place to go. never leave one of these places without taking advantage of an actual bathroom.

Restaurants – You can always sneak into restraunts in foreign cities to make use of there bathrooms. Pretend like your a customer, and they will let you use there fairly clean toilets. Even walk into a cafe and politely ask if you can use the toilet, Most countries will allow it.

Hotels – Take advantage of your hotel bathroom. These bathrooms are typically the nicest in most countries. If your not staying in a hotel, just walk right into the hotel lobby, where you will find one. Many Hotels in other countries have very old architecure and beauty, so just walking in them can be a great site seeing experience.

Trains – Thank God Trains have Bathrooms. Some of the train rides you take in other countries can be epically long. Most Train bathrooms are terrible, and they make airline bathrooms look like a luxury, but when you have to go you have to go.

Back Alleys – If worst comes to worst, you can always use a back alley, Just watch out for mice and rats. Oh and ya the cops. They dont like when you take a piss on the side of one of there buildings, But i have done it, and it works in an emergency.

Or go Old School

Squat and aim… – seriously MOST of the world, just squats and aims, nasty i know. I like to just call it a hole and not a toilet. a smell that could gag a maggot. No Toilet Paper- WHAT? Many countries don’t use TP. I know Crazy, but true. What they use varies, but i would always carry some TP if travelling to a 3rd world country. There are millions of people in the world that just use there hand. yuck, Vomit. They never eat lefthanded. so gross! Flush – There is no such thing as flushing in some countries. If you come across a trash can full of soiled paper, not random. Its something your going to have to get used to in some remote places. Nasty! Be prepared. Don’t get grossed out, it is a duty of man that we all must face.

Toilet Iphone App

A great APP for finding toilets abroad is SitorSquat by Charmin. If you have an iphone you can find restrooms all over the world. For those who don’t have an iphone use the frommers as toilet paper.. because it won’t help you here.

Top USA Hospitals

1) Jon Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore Maryland
they rank #1 for Urology, Rheumatology, Gynecology, and ear nose and throat. and there ranked 2nd in geriatric care, Neurology & Neurosurgery, ophthamology, and Psychiatry.

2) Mayo Clinic, Roshester, Minn
They rank #1 in Diabetes/endocrine disorders, Digestive disorders, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and orthopedics. They are also top 3 in heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, and urology.

3) Ronald Regan UCLA medical center, Los Angeles
The UCLA Medical center is ranked in the top 5 in pretty much everything. some of there best attributes are Geriatric care, Psychiatry, and Urology.

4) Cleveland clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
the Clinic is the best of the best when it come to the Heart. They are well known for there Heart surgery/Cardiology, as well as Digestive disorders and Orthopedics.

5) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Top 5 for good reason, they rank very high in many specialty medical disorders. they are #1 in Psychiatry, and one of the tops in Cancer research.

6) New York Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell.
They have a great Childrens hospital, that ranks high among the best, they are well known for there Diabetes/endocrine disorder clinic, and Neurosurgery.

7) University of California, San Fransisco Medical center
One of the top Hospitals in California and the US. They are big in Community outreach, and it shows, they have one of the biggest facilities, with a center for pretty much every disesase under the sun.

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
The 3rd best hospital for ear nose and throat, and one of the best rehabilitation facilities in the U.S. One of the top Heart surgeons in the country was asked what hospital would he most like to work for, and he chose Univ. Of Penn. Hospital.

9) University of Washington medical center, Seattle
They have the Best Rehabilitation facility onm the planet, and are huge in cancer research, and cancer patient care. One of the nicest facilities you will ever see.

10) Duke University Medical center, Durham N.C.
rounding off the top 10 with good reason, one of the top 4 in Gynecology, and geriatric care. They aso have a great childrens hospital, with a gear toward pediatric cancer.
]]> http://www.gustey.com/top-usa-hospitals-source-usnews/feed 0 http://www.gustey.com/countries-with-the-best-hospitals http://www.gustey.com/countries-with-the-best-hospitals#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:25:38 +0000 gustey http://www.gustey.com/?p=65 Are you planning on travelling to the far corners of the earth, or retiring on a secluded island. Wherever you are, wouldn’t you like to know what kind of health care you can get. These Hospitals are the best of the best on the planet. The U.S. has the top 25, Hell yeah! but these are the best other than the U.S.

Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital – Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand

The Institute of Medical Science University of Tokyo – Tokyo Japan

Taipei Veterans General Hospital – Taipei, Taiwan

Center Hospital, University of Lausanne – Switzerland

The Institute of Cancer Research Royal Cancer Hospital, England

University of Marburg Hospital, Germany

Centre Hospital, University of Lyon, France

University Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenburg, Germany

Eberhard Karls university Hospital, Tubigen Germany

INCA National Institute of cancer research and Hospital, Brazil

National cancer center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

1. Cathay Pacific – the worlds most respected airline, its the 3rd time in 10 yrs they have won the prestigious award. world-class, best service in the air.

2. Singapore Airlines – Singapore is always towards the top when it comes to awards. they took the best airline for first class in 2009.

3. Asiana Airlines – they are the winners of the best transpacific airline, and winner of the best economy class catering.

4. Qatar Airways – The best airline in the middle east award winner. Also won for best economy class.

5. Emirates – exceptional entertainment on this airline, they won for best inflight entertainment. they have won the same award 6 times in 10 yrs.

6. Qantas Airways – The best airline in austrilia by far.

7. Etihad airways – best in buisness class catering, and buisness class period.

8. Air New Zealand – Best in house service in the southern hemisphere

9. Malaysia Airlines – won the worlds best cabin staff award. they have won this award 6 times in the past 10 yrs.

10. Thai Airways – the best airport lounges in the world, spas, massages, first class food, the works.

Notables: Best airlines by region

asia – Cathay Pacific

africa – South African airways

austrailia – Qantas Airways

europe – Swiss Intl Airways

middle east – Qatar Airways

north america – Continental Airways

south america – LAN Airlines

These airlines still have their woes, but stick with them and they will take care of you. Especially when it comes to international flights.

These airports are ranked the lowest in customer satisfaction when it comes to waiting in those awkward crowds for your bags. We all want prompt baggage delivery. Whether its theft, lost baggage, or just waiting forever for your ugly monstrosity of cargo your waiting for.

These baggage claims you should do your best to avoid. With carry on charges being implemented it does it matter if you check your bags anymore? It does if you want to add an hour of your time waiting in the Airport. It is pretty bad everywhere. These places top the list.

THE WORST BAGGAGE CLAIM AIRPORTS

Large airports

Newark International EWR

Los Angeles International LAX

Miami International MIA

Philidelphia International PHL

John F. Kennedy International JFK

Medium airports

LeGuardia International LGA

Boston Logan International BOS

Dulles International IAD

Vancouver International YVR

Regan National International DCA

Small airports

San Jose International SJC

Loius Armstrong New Orleans International MSY

San Antonio International SAT

Dallas Love Field DAL

Reno Tahoe International RNO

airports with the best baggage claims

Large

Detroit Metropolitan, wayne county DTW

Denver International DEN

Minneapolis/St Paul International MSP

Orlando International MCO

Phoenix Sky Harbor International PHX

Medium

Kansas city International MCI

Portland (OR) International POX

Tampa International TPA

Cincinnatti International CVG

Salt Lake City International

Small

Indianapolis International IND

Southwest Florida International RSW

Tuscon International TUS

Jacksonville International JAX

Austin-Bergstrom International AUS

Travel to Europe Much

1) Brussels Belgium – although it may seem Beautifil to visit, 50 people per 1000 were victims of some sort of crime.

2) Amsterdam Netherlands – Lets be honest, this place is a party, 45 people per 1000 were in a way asking for it.

3) Copenhagen Denmark – 37 per 1000 pollled, never had a desire to visit here, i guess this makes it more clear.

4) Budapest Hungary – Although the capital has many amazing places to visit, it also has its grey areas, 33 per 1000 polled.

5) London England – You may be suprised that London rounded off the top 5, but it definitly has a reputation for some of the mentioned crimes, 30.5 per 1000.

6) Warsaw Poland – 28.7 per 1000. seriously, what is there to do in Poland, im sure you can think of a good excuse to visit, but be careful.

7) Berlin Germany – Beautiful capital, that i definitly recommend visiting, but the people dont lie, 26 per 1000, watch your back.

Madrid Spain – if the running of the bulls wasnt risky enough for you, than trying going out in the slums of Madrid at night, 24.5 per 1000

9) Lisbon Portugal – 22.8 per 1000, If you can understand what they’re saying, than more power to you, but give me your wallet in Portugese sounds pretty sexy.

10) Stokholm Sweden – Rounding off the top 10, This capital has alot of people, 19.8 per 1000 inhabitants were victims.

You can get MNUI insurance here:

image by Zitona