General Info

[QUOTE=Dickhead;1210261]I have had additional pages put in my passport twice and it was free. Is this a new fee?[/QUOTE]Yes DH it is a new fee. I think it actually went into effect last year, because I had to pay when I had them added in HK last year I am pretty sure. I have (had) seven years left on the passport, and had added new pages three times already. I was trying to convince the consulate in Shanghai to add one more set, but no go. She told me that two was the max (this is true, but the girl in HK said they would try and squeeze a third set in for me since I had to pay for it) so I wound up getting a new passport with 50 some pages. They also allowed me to get a second passport since I go thru them so fast. I had to get a letter from my employer for the second passport, stating the reason for all the travel and need for visas to many countries, etc.

One trip from China to HK is four stamps, doesn't take too long to fill up.

So now I have to travel with three passports, one new one, one cancelled with the visas that are still current, and the second current passport to try use it up first. The second passport is only good for two years.

I feel like James Bond or something, except they are all the same name and country of issue. And of course I don't have beautiful, classy women begging to sleep with me in my 6 star hotels. And nobody is shooting at me. And I don't look like Sean Connery. Then or now.

I can deal without the shooting part, but I wouldn't mind having his women and his expense account.

Well I moved here from NYC so you can hear a pin drop in comparison.

As for things to do, well, once again I'm coming from NYC and there's even more to do, sucks I have to work here for a living because I'd still have something to do every day, and I'm talking music, theater, art galleries, etc. Not to mention the potential for travelling and visiting the most INCREDIBLE national parks, damn you can hop on a plane at Bogota airport and be in the Amazon in just over an hour! Or pristine Caribbean beaches in San Andres, or Pereira which is like a 24 hour party town.

I think there are some absolutes about physical appearance. Tall is better than short, too fat and too skinny are BOTH bad. Women are most attractive with lots of hips and ass and slim waists. Men are attractive with the classic "X" figure, well defined lats, big shoulders, once again slim waist. Long hair trumps short in both women AND men, no matter WHAT any culture tells us. And generally skin that's not too pink and not too dark is the most physically attractive. People liking people really fat or liking them really white is not the deepest things. These are just indicators of wealth and social status in many cultures. True physical attraction is MUCH MUCH more powerful than that.

[QUOTE=Almotu; 1211032]Mr. E: I consider you a well-travelled hobbyist. So with Colombia sliding off your list, where would you go to for your Latina fix in the future?

I have only been to Medellin and I think it is relatively quiet so you definitely should visit.[/QUOTE]I think I'm giving the Latina thing a break for now and concentrating on Thailand. I mean what other Latinas can beat Colombianas anyway? None that I have ever seen (although I have not been to Cuba, Honduras, Bolivia, Paraguay or Chile - the people who I know that have been to those places have not been itching to go back). My top all-around women on the planet are still Brazilians, Colombians, and Thais (not necessarily in that order). I will still have them in my head, but they are not in my heart right now. I keep thinking of two fine ass Colombianas I saw in the airport when I was leaving out of Bogota. They were with two Average Joes. When I tell you these two girls were turning every man's head that they walked past I mean that shit. Those guys must have been their brothers or cousins or something. I should have taken out my camera is what I should have done.

Recently I looked at airfares to Colombia from California (SFO) and the prices have gone through the roof. Its $1100 to Bogota and $1200 to Medellin. Thats with American Airlines. I don't know if other airlines have gone up the same. But whats up with that? A year ago it was $700 rt to Medellin. I can't believe what American is doing. These prices were for Jan. And Feb. The 'low season'. Its way higher for Nov. And December. I guess Colombia is getting more popular with the tourists and they're going to cash in on it.

Going to Nicaragua in Jan. Its only $580 rt from SFO.

[QUOTE=BayBoy; 1211344]Recently I looked at airfares to Colombia from California (SFO) and the prices have gone through the roof. Its $1100 to Bogota and $1200 to Medellin. Thats with American Airlines. I don't know if other airlines have gone up the same. But whats up with that? A year ago it was $700 rt to Medellin. I can't believe what American is doing. These prices were for Jan. And Feb. The 'low season'. Its way higher for Nov. And December. I guess Colombia is getting more popular with the tourists and they're going to cash in on it.

Going to Nicaragua in Jan. Its only $580 rt from SFO.[/QUOTE]May I offer up NN's recent article on using skyscanner?

[url]http://naughtynomad.com/2011/10/14/travel-hack-insanely-cheap-flights/[/url]

All the airlines are way up, I always paid around 320. Round trip from atlantic city to Cartagena and now its around 700. With good seats and bag fees. Its insane. Same with continental from Newark to Puerto plata, I use to pay 340. Round trip now its 750.

[QUOTE=BayBoy; 1211344]Recently I looked at airfares to Colombia from California (SFO) and the prices have gone through the roof. Its $1100 to Bogota and $1200 to Medellin. Thats with American Airlines. I don't know if other airlines have gone up the same. But whats up with that? A year ago it was $700 rt to Medellin. I can't believe what American is doing. These prices were for Jan. And Feb. The 'low season'. Its way higher for Nov. And December. I guess Colombia is getting more popular with the tourists and they're going to cash in on it.

Going to Nicaragua in Jan. Its only $580 rt from SFO.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=You Can;1211546]All the airlines are way up, I always paid around 320. Round trip from atlantic city to Cartagena and now its around 700. With good seats and bag fees. Its insane. Same with continental from Newark to Puerto plata, I use to pay 340. Round trip now its 750.[/QUOTE]Many years ago the mens club I belonged to ran junkets from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. It was great, and cheaper than a regular flight. We had all kind of drawings, and card playing on the flight. We had our own booze, and food. We passed the hat and the flight attendants were very happy with that for them.

I know it is a pipe dream, but it would be great if someone could make charters to exotic places for Mongers.

Imagine 200 guys off the plane, and all ready for action. It would be the fleet was in for the WG's. LOL.

Meanwhile the airlines wet their beaks a little to much for my taste.

If we could only get rid of all the backpackers, and stinking phony missonarys then there would be more seats open for the (Mongers) true adventurer.

Before anyone jumps on me for my Missonary comment let me give two examples.

1. After the earthquake in Haiti the first ones on the plane home were them,

2. In the most expensive resort on the west coast of Nicaragua while I was staying there, it was loaded with these so called do gooders.

Fuck it I rest my case.

[QUOTE=John Gault; 1211639]If we could only get rid of all the backpackers, and stinking phony missonarys then there would be more seats open for the (Mongers) true adventurer.[/QUOTE]A lot of my hotter lady friends on facebook, I have been noticing more and more sporadic gringos popping up in their club pictures from lleras, palmas and shit like that. I ask them "who are these gringos?". And they tell me some shit like "oh I met him in the club and he's here with a large group of 50 on a missionary from Norte Carloinas" I was like yeah right.

I am in Nicaragua now, but felt the Colombia forum should know of what just happened to me. On my last trip, and now this one I have been ripped off by uising my ATM cards. I use my hand to cover my pin, and make sure I'm alone, but it does not matter. The scam is when I use the card on say Oct. 28th they make phony charges before that date. Very strange I arrived in MGA on Oct. 18th, and did not use the card till Oct. 28th but they had a picnic hitting me with four tranactions that cleaned out my account. Lucky I only had $600 in that account, but I am not a happy camper. This has soured me on Nicaragua, but if I ever return it will be with cash only.

Lets hope they don't start these tricks in Colombia as I only use ATM's there with no problems so far.

BTW in 10 business days I should know if my claim will get my money back. TD Bank is great. They let me file my dispute on the phone while E- Trade is making me fill out papers when I get home.

Thanks for the info, because I always use my atm card when in Cartagena. I heard these thieves can do this but have never had it happen to me and I hope I never do.

[QUOTE=John Gault; 1211951]I am in Nicaragua now, but felt the Colombia forum should know of what just happened to me. On my last trip, and now this one I have been ripped off by uising my ATM cards. I use my hand to cover my pin, and make sure I'm alone, but it does not matter. The scam is when I use the card on say Oct. 28th they make phony charges before that date. Very strange I arrived in MGA on Oct. 18th, and did not use the card till Oct. 28th but they had a picnic hitting me with four tranactions that cleaned out my account. Lucky I only had $600 in that account, but I am not a happy camper. This has soured me on Nicaragua, but if I ever return it will be with cash only.

Lets hope they don't start these tricks in Colombia as I only use ATM's there with no problems so far.

BTW in 10 business days I should know if my claim will get my money back. TD Bank is great. They let me file my dispute on the phone while E- Trade is making me fill out papers when I get home.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=John Gault; 1211951]I am in Nicaragua now, but felt the Colombia forum should know of what just happened to me. On my last trip, and now this one I have been ripped off by uising my ATM cards. I use my hand to cover my pin, and make sure I'm alone, but it does not matter. The scam is when I use the card on say Oct. 28th they make phony charges before that date. Very strange I arrived in MGA on Oct. 18th, and did not use the card till Oct. 28th but they had a picnic hitting me with four tranactions that cleaned out my account. Lucky I only had $600 in that account, but I am not a happy camper. This has soured me on Nicaragua, but if I ever return it will be with cash only.

Lets hope they don't start these tricks in Colombia as I only use ATM's there with no problems so far.

BTW in 10 business days I should know if my claim will get my money back. TD Bank is great. They let me file my dispute on the phone while E- Trade is making me fill out papers when I get home.[/QUOTE]So how do they do it? What do they do? For example I only use Davidenda or what ever the name of the bank in Colombia with the little house for it's logo and have never had a problem. Do you mean like a Hi-end skim scam where they hook up a "chinger" to an given ATM and record your info?

Any and all details would be most helpful and appreciated.

[QUOTE=Slamcity7777; 1211970]So how do they do it? What do they do? For example I only use Davidenda or what ever the name of the bank in Colombia with the little house for it's logo and have never had a problem. Do you mean like a Hi-end skim scam where they hook up a "chinger" to an given ATM and record your info?

Any and all details would be most helpful and appreciated.[/QUOTE]My understanding is that they do it one of two ways. Both methods are used to capture your card number and pin number. Once they have it they just clone the card. One method is to put put a card reading device over the existing device on the machine, this in my opinion should be easy to spot. The other way is to put high tech miniature cameras in the area of the ATM that allows them to zoom in and see the card number and watch you punch in your pin. The newest cameras use infrared that can see the heat left behind from your fingers hitting the keypad. Both methods are used in Colombia. I don't use my cards anymore, I do take them as an emergency backup but I am of the opinion it is safer to just bring in USD and go to a cambio. I take a taxi straight from the airport to my apartment or hotel and lock 50% in the safe and 50% in my luggage and exchange about 2 or 3 days worth of spending money at a time. The last time I used a card on one of my trips was six months ago in a hotel in the DR, the hotel double charged me and I had to dispute it.

[QUOTE=Slamcity7777; 1211970]So how do they do it? What do they do? For example I only use Davidenda or what ever the name of the bank in Colombia with the little house for it's logo and have never had a problem. Do you mean like a Hi-end skim scam where they hook up a "chinger" to an given ATM and record your info?

Any and all details would be most helpful and appreciated.[/QUOTE]Fuck if I know how they do it. I also use Davidenda in Mayorista. Never a problem, and you can get 720k. Of course it can get bad there also.

[QUOTE=Slamcity7777; 1211970]So how do they do it? What do they do? For example I only use Davidenda or what ever the name of the bank in Colombia with the little house for it's logo and have never had a problem. Do you mean like a Hi-end skim scam where they hook up a "chinger" to an given ATM and record your info?

Any and all details would be most helpful and appreciated.[/QUOTE]They install a second scanner which transmits the data wirelessly over the internet. It's almost impossible to detect. They were doing this a lot in ATMS in New York too.

[QUOTE=Bango Cheito;1212365]They install a second scanner which transmits the data wirelessly over the internet. It's almost impossible to detect. They were doing this a lot in ATMS in New York too.[/QUOTE]For real? WOW! Are some of the banks in on this? Don't thy monitor they're ATMs? I remember hearing about a huge scam in the states where they hid recorders at Gas Station pumps, Pin pads in convince stores. Places like that; but never in a dedicated bank atm. Now you got me all shook!