ottawa24

Hello:

I will be in Callao for 3 nights on the Oceania Regatta in February 2014 (doing a back-to-back). Previously I have spent 4 nights in Lima, but was in a hotel in San Isidro. On that trip, I saw many of the main tourist sites in Lima, and loved the city. My husband and I walked everywhere, and never felt afraid or nervous, though we were dressed very low-key and wore no jewelry. This time, I'd like to spend an afternoon in the area of the Fortaleza Filipe Real (in Callao), and then 1 day seeing more of the historic centre of Lima and the Larco, and the other day at the Museo del Oro and the Museo de la Nacion, walking from one area to the other on both days in the city. I've been reading on this forum about the dangers at the port of Callao, and thinking about how I can arrange transport for the activities I wish to do. Much of the information I've found is quite dated, so I decided to put it out here again to see what might come up that's more recent.

 

From what I've read, it seems that the port provides a free shuttle from the dock to the port gate (is this at the location called "Terminal Maritimo" on Google Maps?), and then you have to go outside the gate to get a taxi. Is this the case, or are there taxis as you get off the ship? It looks so close to just go out the gates and walk over to the peninsula where the fort stands, but I'm afraid to not heed all the warnings on the forum. A taxi from the gate to the fort would only take about 5 minutes, I think. To go into the city, say to the Larco museum, I'd just get a taxi from wherever they are available, I guess. Then, I'm wondering, to return from Lima to the ship, do we have to get a particular type of taxi in order to get past the gates? Our other option would be to get the Stern store's free shuttle to and from Miraflores, and then a local taxi to and from the Stern store. It would be more time-consuming, but we're not trying to see everything in one day, so that wouldn't be a big issue. I don't really want to have a taxi wait all day for us, or take us between points where we'd prefer to walk.

 

Sorry to be so long-winded. Any input will be appreciated.

I can't help you with what-to-see in Lima because we used our 3 days to go to Machu Picchu. However your observation regarding where the ship docks is correct. There is a shuttle that takes you to an exit gate where the taxis are waiting. Also within this "gated" area there are a few shops, and wifi although it was slow there as well. There are some concerns regarding your safety at this port. Once outside the gate you need to be careful. Someone from our ship

had their purse taken. That said we didn't have any trouble, and it would not prevent me from getting off the ship Hope this is some help.

We also used Thi and were very satisfied. Thi arranged for us to take the Saigon River Express to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The boat ride was wonderful. They served a small breakfast on the way and lunch on the way back. The tunnels were especially memorable. It was one of the high lights of our Vietnam trip.

If you go way back on our boards it is apparent you will be assured of a memorable tour with either tour company.

Wow the shopping looks wonderful. What can my husband do while I shop?:) Any Louis Vuitton outlets?????

Phu My port make people suffer bad road first before connecting the so-called Highway 51 for Saigon.

Driving time is kind of boring but, one good point is recently, thanks to new road completion, driving time is #30 minutes shorter than it used to be.

That's good news. Thanks for the hands on up-date.

We just got back from Thailand on Friday evening and I wanted to report back on our tour with Bangkok Day Tour (Danny at BangkokDayTour@hotmail.com). Our guide for two part-day tours was Miss Nina and she was great, flexible and knowledgeable. We went to various temples and did a canal tour the first day with an impromptu lunch stop, and then did the train market and floating market on the second day with the addition of some elephant rides. She even bought us some local fruit to try and had plenty or water available for us as well. The best things were frozen washcloths she bought us while we were out. These were the perfect relief for our hot and tired group.

 

Their responses were timely and thorough and made me so much more comfortable. They also provided airport transfers for us in and out of Bangkok Airport.

 

As for Tong, she never responded AT ALL to my last email. She may be busy, but I still find that unacceptable. I never felt like she wanted my business or even read my emails.

 

Good luck to you all! We enjoyed Bangkok, thanks to Danny and Dawn and Nina at Bangkok Day Tour.

I'm curious where did you have the Elephant ride?

Thanks for the info on the Visa. Will keep it in mind. After reading your thoughts on Hanoi and Halong Bay and knowing we will probably never get back, I know I have to visit both.

The airfare one way from Hong Kong to Hanoi is pricey $400 + .

We are cruising on Celebritys Feb 17 SE Asia cruise.

Again thanks.

lesley

Thank you both for your postings. It is people like you who take the time to post that our trips have always been successful. We use CC for all our trips and we have never been disappointed. If we hadn't found CC we would have been stuck on ship tours, that were both expensive and impersonal.

I have been in touch with Tony, and so far he has been patient and informative and our 1st choice. In Siem Reap we are touring with Miriams (forgot her handle) choice.

Regarding Vietnam we are in a hugh state of confusion. We will probably never be back to visit Vietnam so we are trying to make the most of it. Our dilemma is concerning our Celebrity Feb 17 tender port at Hanoi/Halong Bay. We have 1 full day and 2nd day until 1pm! We are considering flying from Hong Kong missing a sea day or, missing Chan May. Either way it involves flights. Or we have even considered cancelling the cruise.:( Decisions, decisions.

Thank you again, and also I appreciate John Bulls contributions as well.

lesley

Ruth, We will be staying is Tel Aviv overnight. We would like to go to Jerusalem for the morning with maybe a private guide. We have to be back to Haifa by 4ish to catch our ship. We are not sure if we can catch a taxi or if a guide would take us. We understand it is about 2hrs + from Jerusalem to Haifa.

Thank you for any assistance.