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How may automobile death in Hawaii since 1984? I bet more than 57! -Paul

You'd better smarten up FAST! DCL is quite good at separating you from your money. The bill to get OFF the ship could even be higher than what you paid to get ON the ship. -Paul

Yes, it only takes one lesson to learn to play a musical instrument! Doesn't anyone realize it's just a stupid gimmick to make you buy a ukulele that will never be used again? Hmmm. it's harder than it looks! -Paul

Some police are waiting for a bribe, but some are honest. The reason there are some many police and levels of security is that a person may be able bride some, but not all police. The government pays low wages to police, so brides are a constant problem. -Paul

I am urging everyone to travel more and improve their own travel skills, so that you are not dependent on anyone to find a bathroom. It will open up the world for more travel destinations without the need for a guide to find a bathroom. -Paul

If you are always on a guided tour, you never have these experiences and more importantly never LEARN the very important survival technique. You can give a man a fish and he eats for a day or teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime! -Paul

Sorry, but "Dad-mode" kicks in: "We already paid for lunch on the ship. We're NOT paying TWICE for lunch!" -Paul

In 2004, the only toilet in the Naples train station was a slot-in-the-floor Oriental toilet. Maybe it has been upgraded by now, but I would not be surprised if it was still there. -Paul

This is a "teachable moment" to instruct you child on how to sign official documents. It's a little different than putting your name on homework. -Paul

You can see on Google Maps/Earth the general area where the cruise ships are docked on the Danube River. Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Spanish Riding School and the Hofburg Palace are impossible to see in a day. Pick one or stay for several days. St. Stephen's Cathedral, the...

For me the "must see" Florence attraction was Galileo's thumb. Yes, it's his actual thumb preserved in a jar in the Science Museum. It took a while before I summoned the courage to ask such a silly question of where it was located! The docent directed me to the right room without any emotion...

Travel skills are not just research and spreadsheets, but "fixing" problems during your trip. What if the planned venue is suddenly closed? What if the trains are on strike? What if you need medical help? How do you communicate in your non-native language? These are the most challenging of...

Unfortunately, this means you are totally dependent on a tour company. I think it is sad when someone returns from a long tour and says that they would love to go back to X but have no idea how to get there without another tour. I prefer investing in years of travel skills so that I freely...

You will learn *more* by doing your own trip. For example, you will need to research the Swiss rail network, the different rail companies, the various rail gages, rack and pinion tracks, train passes, etc. Why stay in a sterile luxury hotel when you can stay in the spare bedroom of a local...

Why do you need a "tour" for a train trip? You can book on-line trains like the Swiss Glacier Express and go anytime. -Paul

The CDC does *NOT* recommend that everyone should take Pepto Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) to prevent Traveler's Diarrhea (TD)! The CDC did study Bismuth Subsalicylate (BSS) as one of *many* options for the prevention and treatment of TD but found it was only 50% effective. As with all drugs...

Another reason not to drive in London is the Congestion Charge: https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/congestion-charge -Paul

First Night is ancient tradition of a lord to claim all brides on their first night of marriage. For more information, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droit_du_seigneur -Paul

Avoid fruit juice since it was likely made from concentrate and mixed with the local water. -Paul

Instead of "as the crow flies", I should have said "as the missile flies". 225 miles is not far for an off-course missile. You should also know that Sharm El-Sheikh was the location of ISIS terrorist attack in 2015 where over 200 tourists on a resort were killed. Remember that? I'm not...