That's also the case with travel agents. It seems like an eon ago, but I used to book all my travel through a nice Polish lady who ran a small agency with a few friends. Such shops are few and far between these days, killed off by the same internet forces as Blockbuster. The Polish lady and her friends long ago went on to different careers.
I travel a lot, both for fun and for business reasons. I flew a ton of places while working on Sex, Bombs and Burgers, and for its promotion - something I'll be continuing to do for the next year. I haven't used a travel agent in ages; I've found that booking online is easy and almost always cheaper.
A few friends and I decided we wanted to have a guys' weekend in Las Vegas this fall, so I set to pricing the trip out. For kicks, and because there's five of us involved, I thought I'd check with an agent at the Flight Centre to see whether he could come up with anything I couldn't. The result: not really. The prices he quoted were pretty much exactly the same as what I found, and in at least one case, they were higher. Still, I figured he'd done the work and booking with Flight Centre would mean a small savings in hassle for me, even though there was the downside of having to pay for our flights and hotel up front (if we'd booked independently, we wouldn't have had to pay for the hotel until we checked out of it).
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
South Korea
A few weeks ago, myself and some friends were rounding off the night in a Russian bar in the centre of the district. It was 9am and the place was packed. Overweight Koreans danced with scantily clad Russian whores. A group of Uzbekistani construction workers got drunk in a corner, watched suspiciously by the thuggish security, there to “keep the peace”. Suddenly the music stopped and the sound of broken glass filled the air. Some of the Uzbekistanis had got involved with a few Koreans. Things soon got nasty and as blood was being literally splattered about the place, four musclebound Korean mafiose ran in wielding chains and generally kicking the shit out of people. Predictably this “peacekeeping” measure didn’t calm things down and soon the only people not involved were ourselves and a gaggle of peroxide whores standing nervously in the corner. Eventually the fight ended, the music restarted and everybody went happily back to boozing and whoring.
While not an everyday occurrence, these fights are commonplace in Itaewon, just one of the reasons why many Koreans regard the area as a complete no-go. Most of the action is centered around ‘Hooker Hill’, which, predictably enough is not somewhere for that Sunday afternoon family stroll. No, Hooker Hill is the main red light district in Seoul catering for Westerners, mainly US servicemen. Walking up the hill once the sun goes down is a trying experience. Heavily made up Korean whores literally try and drag you into their ‘bars’. Shouting things like “You want play?”, “Me want talk to you…two minute…come on baby…” etc, etc. Some of the girls are undoubtedly attractive, although most are hideous. And while many Koreans would like to think that Hooker Hill is an aberration, an anomaly simply there to cater for frustrated US soldiers, in reality it is just the tip of a sleazy iceberg.
While not an everyday occurrence, these fights are commonplace in Itaewon, just one of the reasons why many Koreans regard the area as a complete no-go. Most of the action is centered around ‘Hooker Hill’, which, predictably enough is not somewhere for that Sunday afternoon family stroll. No, Hooker Hill is the main red light district in Seoul catering for Westerners, mainly US servicemen. Walking up the hill once the sun goes down is a trying experience. Heavily made up Korean whores literally try and drag you into their ‘bars’. Shouting things like “You want play?”, “Me want talk to you…two minute…come on baby…” etc, etc. Some of the girls are undoubtedly attractive, although most are hideous. And while many Koreans would like to think that Hooker Hill is an aberration, an anomaly simply there to cater for frustrated US soldiers, in reality it is just the tip of a sleazy iceberg.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Turkey Mini Tour Packages:
DAY 01 – Arrival to Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and clearing customs, you will be met by one of our staff at the exit gate of arrivals hall & transfer your hotel. On the way, a brief stop by the 1700-year-old ancient city walls will be a great photo opportunity. There will be time to relax & rest before meeting the guide in the evening for an orientation walk with your guide around Sultanahmet by night. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 – Bosphorous Cruise and Asia Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast at hotel, then meeting your guide at hotel lobby short drive down to Eminonu to visit Spice Bazaar with mystical smells of different aromas of variousspices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers,etc. Then walk to the harbour to embark on the Bosphorus Ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus. We believe a visit to Istanbul is never complete if you haven't joined the Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise you will see the city from a different perspective, the old wooden villas, Rumeli Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque, both bridges linking Asia & Europe, (our banner is a glimps of what you will see) & much more. After lunch, continue on land to visit Camlica Hill for 360° panoramic views over the city & driving back to Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge we visit Dolmabahce Palace, with more than 340 rooms & 8 Turkish Baths the Imperial Residence of the last 6 Sultans, is sure to fascinate its visitors. At the end of the tour the guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 03 – Splendors of Empire Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast meeting tour guide at hotel lobby for full day tour of Istanbul. We start with the Ancient Hippodrome where chariots races and other sporting events took place from the 2nd century A.D. onwards. Then continue to Sultanahmet Cami, also known as the Blue Mosque due to its superb interior decoration and the hand made Iznik tiles reflecting its blue colours from the 16th century. We then continue to the Museum of Hagia Sophia, the jewel in Turkey's Byzantine crown. Hagia Sophia dates back to 6th century; when it was built, its dome was the largest in the world. Now it is one of the world's finest examples of Byzantine architecture. We reach the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) after a short drive. Here you will be amazed with the variety of souvenirs such as rugs, leather, pottery, jewellery, spices you can find or just stroll around for the fun. We have lunch at a local restaurant serving Turkish Cuisine. Free afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 04 – Flight to Izmir and Ephesus Ancient City Tour
Breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Istanbul Airport. Departure on the domestic flight to Izmir. On arrival to Izmir Airport and meet with your new guide depart on to the town of Selcuk to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus, one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Cities in the world. Depart for the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the last of her days. After lunch in a local restaurant, the tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple and if time allows a visit to the old Greek Village of Sirince. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul. On your arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be met at the airport for the transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Evening at lesiure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 05 – Transfer to Istanbul Airport
Breakfast, check-out and meeting your transfer staff for drive to Istanbul International Airport
Upon arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and clearing customs, you will be met by one of our staff at the exit gate of arrivals hall & transfer your hotel. On the way, a brief stop by the 1700-year-old ancient city walls will be a great photo opportunity. There will be time to relax & rest before meeting the guide in the evening for an orientation walk with your guide around Sultanahmet by night. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 – Bosphorous Cruise and Asia Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast at hotel, then meeting your guide at hotel lobby short drive down to Eminonu to visit Spice Bazaar with mystical smells of different aromas of variousspices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers,etc. Then walk to the harbour to embark on the Bosphorus Ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus. We believe a visit to Istanbul is never complete if you haven't joined the Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise you will see the city from a different perspective, the old wooden villas, Rumeli Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque, both bridges linking Asia & Europe, (our banner is a glimps of what you will see) & much more. After lunch, continue on land to visit Camlica Hill for 360° panoramic views over the city & driving back to Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge we visit Dolmabahce Palace, with more than 340 rooms & 8 Turkish Baths the Imperial Residence of the last 6 Sultans, is sure to fascinate its visitors. At the end of the tour the guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 03 – Splendors of Empire Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast meeting tour guide at hotel lobby for full day tour of Istanbul. We start with the Ancient Hippodrome where chariots races and other sporting events took place from the 2nd century A.D. onwards. Then continue to Sultanahmet Cami, also known as the Blue Mosque due to its superb interior decoration and the hand made Iznik tiles reflecting its blue colours from the 16th century. We then continue to the Museum of Hagia Sophia, the jewel in Turkey's Byzantine crown. Hagia Sophia dates back to 6th century; when it was built, its dome was the largest in the world. Now it is one of the world's finest examples of Byzantine architecture. We reach the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) after a short drive. Here you will be amazed with the variety of souvenirs such as rugs, leather, pottery, jewellery, spices you can find or just stroll around for the fun. We have lunch at a local restaurant serving Turkish Cuisine. Free afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 04 – Flight to Izmir and Ephesus Ancient City Tour
Breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Istanbul Airport. Departure on the domestic flight to Izmir. On arrival to Izmir Airport and meet with your new guide depart on to the town of Selcuk to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus, one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Cities in the world. Depart for the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the last of her days. After lunch in a local restaurant, the tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple and if time allows a visit to the old Greek Village of Sirince. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul. On your arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be met at the airport for the transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Evening at lesiure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 05 – Transfer to Istanbul Airport
Breakfast, check-out and meeting your transfer staff for drive to Istanbul International Airport
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