Travel to the good ol USA

[Darran]

I was in a shop in Detroit a few years ago and the shop owner said to me “where'd you hail from man?”
I said “Port Talbot.”
He said “what State is that in?’
I said “A worse state than this.”​

 

[Neath_Jack]

It’s a big trip, been ill the last few years so once i was on the road to recovery decided to retire and travel as much as i can. I have worked flat out since i was 16 and always wanted to travel but put the family first. They are all grown up independent with their own families so me and the Mrs are making the most of our time.

Fly into Rio spend a few days there sightseeing then up to Iguaza falls, transfer to Argentina side there and view falls and park from that side, down to Buenes Aires for a few days, get on a cruise ship stopping at Patagonia, Uruguayan, Chile before onto Antarctic then off to Falklands for a few days sailing back to BA, fly to Lima transfer to Cusco acclimatise then travel to Machu Picchu before flying back from Lima via Madrid to LHR. Just about 5 weeks in total spending the kids inheritence.

Id love to go to the Falklands, just to visit the battle sites (bit of a Falklands War buff). Incredible trip though fair play.

 

[Pacemaker]

We have a personal reason to visit there so it was an important part of the trip.

 

[Squarebear]

Enjoy your trip, @Pacemaker though if you can stretch to a helicopter transfer rather than sailing direct from South America that, I'm told, is a worthy investment .

I'm put off visiting the US at present. The thought, no matter how ludicrous it seems, of a border guard showing me printouts of anti-Trump stuff on Instagram that I'd clicked Like on and then tossing me in a cell is just not a risk I fancy taking.

 

[JackSomething]

I'm put off visiting the US at present. The thought, no matter how ludicrous it seems, of a border guard showing me printouts of anti-Trump stuff on Instagram that I'd clicked Like on and then tossing me in a cell is just not a risk I fancy taking.

Genuine question here, has this actually been happening, or is it an urban myth?

 

[jack123]

It’s a big trip, been ill the last few years so once i was on the road to recovery decided to retire and travel as much as i can. I have worked flat out since i was 16 and always wanted to travel but put the family first. They are all grown up independent with their own families so me and the Mrs are making the most of our time.

Fly into Rio spend a few days there sightseeing then up to Iguaza falls, transfer to Argentina side there and view falls and park from that side, down to Buenes Aires for a few days, get on a cruise ship stopping at Patagonia, Uruguayan, Chile before onto Antarctic then off to Falklands for a few days sailing back to BA, fly to Lima transfer to Cusco acclimatise then travel to Machu Picchu before flying back from Lima via Madrid to LHR. Just about 5 weeks in total spending the kids inheritence.

That sounds absolutely fantastic! Enjoy.

 

[Cooperman]

It’s a big trip, been ill the last few years so once i was on the road to recovery decided to retire and travel as much as i can. I have worked flat out since i was 16 and always wanted to travel but put the family first. They are all grown up independent with their own families so me and the Mrs are making the most of our time.

Fly into Rio spend a few days there sightseeing then up to Iguaza falls, transfer to Argentina side there and view falls and park from that side, down to Buenes Aires for a few days, get on a cruise ship stopping at Patagonia, Uruguayan, Chile before onto Antarctic then off to Falklands for a few days sailing back to BA, fly to Lima transfer to Cusco acclimatise then travel to Machu Picchu before flying back from Lima via Madrid to LHR. Just about 5 weeks in total spending the kids inheritence.

That’s a trip of a lifetime! I would go to great lengths to get over to the Falkland Islands.

Keep your wits about you in some of those places as Brazil is a bit lawless, even in the more domesticated parts. I will be heading a few hours inland from São Paulo in a fortnight, and it’s only worth mentioning because it’s the place where Ronald played on loan in 2022. No other endearing features to speak of.

 

[Pacemaker]

My brother who ironically lives in the States used to have a career like yours in that he travelled around the world setting up manufacturing plants with auto manufacturers and hi-tech companies and he said that Brazil was quite dodgy, he did drive from San Paulo to some place a few hours away and was accompanied by a load of armed guards, he had previously worked in Mexico where kidnappings were common as well as the far east so for him to say be careful in Brazil was quite the warning!

I am really looking forward to it, just Japan and Oman left on my bucket list now!

 

[Cooperman]

My brother who ironically lives in the States used to have a career like yours in that he travelled around the world setting up manufacturing plants with auto manufacturers and hi-tech companies and he said that Brazil was quite dodgy, he did drive from San Paulo to some place a few hours away and was accompanied by a load of armed guards, he had previously worked in Mexico where kidnappings were common as well as the far east so for him to say be careful in Brazil was quite the warning!

I am really looking forward to it, just Japan and Oman left on my bucket list now!

Yep, appointed drivers and no hire cars allowed. Also not allowed to venture out of the hotel alone. It’s a case of get in and out ASAP. Now Japan on the other hand I don’t get there any more and are unlikely to in a work capacity. But I’ve got one more trip in me and that’s three weeks with my wife in tow. She’s never been but having spent more than a year of my life there when added up, I’d like to show her around.

 

[Pentyrchjack]

Hopping between USA and Canada across the land border can be a right pain.

When I did it, I forgot the ESTA only coversthe air border and I still needed a Green Card to enter the land border (even though my journey originated in USA as I just went into Canada for a day by RV and then returned to USA by RV). I was processed at the land border as an illegal alien

 

[Jackareme]

Genuine question here, has this actually been happening, or is it an urban myth?

Absolutely happening unfortunately - the darker your skin the better the chance. I cross reasonably frequently, a buddy of mine who is Phillipino and the exact same status as me got rounded up and spent 12 hours in detention (including a full body search) before being turned around and sent home in the early hours of the morning.
We are going to the Thanksgiving game in November - he typically comes with us every year - guess what?

 

[Jackareme]

Hopping between USA and Canada across the land border can be a right pain.

When I did it, I forgot the ESTA only coversthe air border and I still needed a Green Card to enter the land border (even though my journey originated in USA as I just went into Canada for a day by RV and then returned to USA by RV). I was processed at the land border as an illegal alien

Yes it can - an I94 is needed which lasts for 3 months - but means standing in line at the immigration centre and a $7 fee - one of the main reasons I got a Canadian passport.

 

[Squarebear]

Genuine question here, has this actually been happening, or is it an urban myth?

If you're Facebook friends with someone who posts some anti-American stuff then you're at risk of being refused admission.

Here's one that kind of amused me (in a facepalm way):

Caution on Twitter urged as tourists barred from US - BBC News

Tweeting travellers are being told to be extra cautious after two tourists were refused entry to the US due to a "threatening" message.

www.bbc.com

They've been asking for one's social media account details on the ESTA form for a while, which always struck me as odd, but nowadays I'd worry even if I chose to leave it blank.

 

[Pentyrchjack]

I'm always amused by the question asked by USA immigration "Have you ever been convicted of moral turpitude?"

 

[exiledclaseboy]

I'm always amused by the question asked by USA immigration "Have you ever been convicted of moral turpitude?"

As part of my security clearance in work im asked if I’ve ever illegally plotted to overthrow the government. Which feels like an odd question cos who’d say yes?