Boarding Pass

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 404th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine.

I have several warnings to pass along this month plus a couple of tips and then a special remembrance.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office warned UK citizens recently, about Trinidad, “There has… been a worrying increase in violent crime, muggings and robberies in all areas in 2009… including stabbings and violent attacks.” Further, “Cruise ship passengers should take particular care when walking around the docks and downtown, and should avoid straying into areas affected by gang violence.”

And, about Tobago, “There have been a number of serious robberies against tourists and residents…. All villas should have… external security lighting, grills and 24-hour security guards.”

In Cape Town, South Africa, men in plainclothes posing as police officers have asked for people’s wallets and robbed them after either approaching on foot or pulling drivers over in vehicles. The US Consulate reminded travelers that a police officer must be able to show an appointment certificate (badge) and offered these tips.

If the officer does not produce ID, do not hand him or her your wallet or display your ID. Walk away or draw the attention of bystanders. If driving, do not pull over for an unmarked vehicle, even one with a blue light on top. Instead, turn on your hazard lights and drive to a police station or a highly populated, well-lit public area.

Whenever a weapon is involved, cooperate fully.

Report suspicious behavior to a police station or US Consulate, providing date, time, place, names, badge numbers and police vehicle registration number.

In the Tuscan town of Massa Carrara, left- and right-leaning vigilante groups clashed violently in July. In response to such problems, the Italian government passed a security law allowing for — and regulating — osservatori volontari (voluntary observers), often referred to as ronde (patrols).

There are currently about 100 citizen patrol groups nationwide, ranging in ideology from extreme right to far left, with some simply comprising seniors supervising school zones.

Under the new rules, a committee will vet each applicant, who must be at least 25 years old and have no criminal record or drug/alcohol-related problems. Anyone belonging to a politically or ideologically motivated association will be barred. Members must undergo a training course.

Based in parks and at tourist sites, each patrol is limited to three people, and they may not wear uniforms other than fluorescent yellow vests or jackets with their group’s logo on the back. They will carry whistles and cell phones, not weapons, and their duty is to call police upon witnessing infringements of the law.

In Berlin, S-Bahn service will not return to normal until December, and several top rail officials have been fired for having cut back on safety inspections to save money.

No one was injured when, on May 1, a train carriage derailed after a wheel broke, but it prompted authorities to pull two-thirds of the 600 S-Bahn trains off line while all wheels are checked for cracks and the axles scrutinized. 4,000 train wheels are expected to be replaced.

In Dar es Salaam, the US Embassy cautioned travelers “to carefully consider the risks of using ATMs anywhere in Tanzania until further notice.” There have been reports of ATM card, debit card and credit card fraud, particularly involving US-dollar-denominated accounts.

Visitors should check their accounts for any unusual withdrawals, reporting them to their financial institution immediately. Suspects recently arrested had a device that discreetly recorded people’s PINs at ATMs. (Always cover the keypad when punching in your PIN.) Other suspects had cloned credit cards.

If you can’t trust a bank…!

The US Embassy in Quito is advising travelers getting US currency (Ecuador’s national currency) at any banking institution or private business in Ecuador to inspect it for counterfeit bills before leaving the cashier window. If you find any, normally they will exchange the bills.

Discouragingly, even some ATMs in Ecuador have dispensed counterfeit bills.

Regarding real banknotes, the embassy pointed out that in each new US bill there is a distinctive watermark image which corresponds to the facial or numerical image on that denomination of bill. This is one of the most difficult details for a counterfeiter to reproduce.

For more tips on detecting phony greenbacks, visit www.ustreas.gov/usss/money_detect.shtml.

Early this year, the Bank of Thailand reported a sharp increase in the number of counterfeit Thai bills being circulated, particularly 1,000-baht notes (worth about $29.50). Be wary of notes with serial numbers starting with 9A650 and 2D150.

Fortunately, ATMs there cannot be fooled and do not dispense fake bank notes.

In the United Kingdom, the airport departure tax is increasing.

Currently, those flying within the UK or from there to most EU countries pay a tax of £10 (near $16.50) Reduced Rate (in economy class) or £20 Standard Rate (if the passenger’s seat pitch exceeds 40 inches). Those flying to other destinations pay, respectively, £40 or £80.

As of Nov. 1, the tax will depend on the distance traveled. The Reduced Rate will range from £11 (Band A, zero to 2,000 miles) to £55 (Band D, over 6,000 miles), with the respective Standard Rates from £22 to £110.

Rates will increase again on Nov. 1, 2010: Reduced Rate from £12 to £85 ($20-$141) and Standard, £24-£170.

The Band distance is that from London to the capital of the destination country or territory, thus it will be more costly to fly from London to the Caribbean than to many parts of the US.

Okay, here’s some good news for travelers! This may be a good time to visit Iceland.

In the recent financial melt down, Iceland’s three national banks ended up with debt equaling more than three times that country’s gross domestic product. Its currency lost a third of its value, and prices for many things have dropped by 30%.

Yes, prices there were astronomically high to begin with, but it’s a beautiful country. Tourism is up 20% lately.

More good news for tourists — and Sunday drivers! As of Aug. 16 this year, a new law in France allows many stores and businesses in specified tourist areas and special urban retail zones to legally open on Sunday. These may include retailers selling clothes, perfume, furniture, etc., along with spas and hair salons.

In addition to 7/11-style markets which are open every day and already have late-night hours, until now only particular groceries and certain shops could operate on Sunday, until noon, although many shops had found ways to skirt the 100-year-old law. These shops now may stay open on Sunday until 1 p.m.

Employees who work on Sunday must volunteer to do so and will be paid double the usual amount. Other details need to be worked out.

In this issue, Milton Herzog of Hot Springs, Arkansas, describes bucking the system… of Aeroflot!

At one point in his quest to get a refund, he had to provide the new expiration date of the credit card he used in his original purchase.

Another traveler in the news recently was refused a credit card account refund by a cruise line because he had canceled the credit card with which he made his original purchase.

For my own car, I have a FasTrak device that allows me to drive through many bridge tolls without stopping. When my credit card was assigned a new expiration date, I received a letter from FasTrak claiming that the card I had registered with them was no longer valid. Same card numbers; I’d just forgotten to notify them of the change in date.

Just something to remember as you’re making purchases.

It was with shock and great sadness that we learned of the passing of Lei Chatfield, a former ITN editor, in August. From 1981 to 2003 she was my closest colleague.

Lei had lived in several countries and possessed a vast amount of knowledge about the world. A true professional at writing, she worked quickly and efficiently, coming up with solutions to editing problems as if by magic, at times. An avowed Anglophile and a gourmet cook, she kept finding holidays and excuses for holding office “international” potlucks, which always left us looking forward to the next one.

Lei helped ITN grow and excel, and we are grateful that she was a part of it. — DT