China adventure

[2GirlsMama]

Hi Briar Rose,
My husband and I were just discussing the possibility of purchasing a net book at lunch today. Are you happy with the one you purchased? What kind did you choose? Have you tried to work with pictures with it? With the weight restrictions for carry-on bags it seems like the only way to take a computer. Our laptop is way too heavy.

I called the travel agent today to verify the 11 pound weight limit on carry on bags in China and she said that is correct. She said it is that way through Europe, too. I guess you already knew that since you just returned from France....

 

[smores]

stupid question....if i have one converter--can i plug that in and connect a power strip so we can recharge cell phone, laptop, camera etc at same time???

 

[BriarRose59]

Hi Briar Rose,
My husband and I were just discussing the possibility of purchasing a net book at lunch today. Are you happy with the one you purchased? What kind did you choose? Have you tried to work with pictures with it? With the weight restrictions for carry-on bags it seems like the only way to take a computer. Our laptop is way too heavy.

I called the travel agent today to verify the 11 pound weight limit on carry on bags in China and she said that is correct. She said it is that way through Europe, too. I guess you already knew that since you just returned from France....

We purchased an Acer at Costco. We had bad luck with an Acer around 15 years ago and hesitated, but after reading the specs on it and the HP that they also had, plus the fact that the Acer was $100 less, we chose the Acer. We have had it about 3 weeks. My husband uses it all the time for basics like email and surfing the net. He loves it! I don't want to put pictures directly on the netbook because they don't have all that much memory and I don't want to drag down the speed. I have a small hard drive that I will dump to directly from my camera's memory disks and then hook the hard drive up to the netbook to upload to Flikr or Photobucket. I googled Acer One 8.9" and found lots of good reviews. They now have a 10", but the smaller one works great.

I was not aware of the 11 lb limit in Europe. They never weighed my carry-on, even with I used a 21" rollaboard. I am planning on only using the nice backpack that ABD sent unless I run out of room. Then I will pull out a compact tote that I am including in my checked luggage.

stupid question....if i have one converter--can i plug that in and connect a power strip so we can recharge cell phone, laptop, camera etc at same time???

That is what I did in Europe. I bought one converter that would accommodate a 3 prong plug and then I ordered a Power Squid online that was also a surge protector. At one time I had 2 iPhones and 3 camera batteries charging and it was fine. I like the Power Squid better than a regular power strip because with the large size of the camera battery chargers, you can't always fit more than one or two plus your cell phones and computer at any one time. I am always nervous about power surges in the hotels so I ordered the one with surge protection even though it weighs more than the other one.

We leave 4 weeks from tomorrow!

 

[BriarRose59]

After another experience with luggage this weekend, I would like to offer this bit of advice: CROSS PACK!!!!! When we did a 12 day Baltic cruise in 2007, Virgin Airlines lost my bag. I checked it on June 28 and did not see it again until August 31 when it showed up at my door around midnight. I was stuck on a ship with no clothing store except for exercise clothes. I had booked shore excursions for each port so had no time to shop for clothes until 10 days into the trip. This past March when we went to Europe, British Airways lost my bag and 4 others in our group. We received them late the same night as our arrival, but it could easily not have been the case because our bags had not made it onto the plane. Luckily BA had another flight to Paris and our bags were on it. This past weekend, my friends and I returned home from a week long trip to Reno/Lake Tahoe. We were delayed landing at DFW because of storms. We were diverted to Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls where we sat on the runway for 2 1/2 hours, then were allowed to land at DFW, but couldn't get off the plane because they couldn't find a gate. Thirty minutes later we disembarked, but another storm system came through and the baggage handlers stopped delivering luggage to the carousels. We waited over 2 hours. We finally filed a delayed baggage report and were told they would deliver our bags to our homes the next day. With the thousands of bags that were needing to be delivered, because NO ONE got bags that landed at DFW after around 8pm Saturday night (at least if they flew American), it was 2 days later that a bag finally got to me. It wasn't mine, the agent who checked the bags had put one of my friend's tag receipt on my bag and her's was on mine. We were able to get together on Tuesday to exchange bags. When we pack for this trip, we will each lay out what we want to pack and then mix the bags 50/50 with each others items.

 

[2GirlsMama]

Briar Rose!!
That is a great packing idea. That could really be a trip saver for me because I am positive there aren't any clothes in China to fit a girl built like me. I am definitely going to use that idea.

My DH just bought the Acer netbook today. He researched and decided that was the best for our needs. Thanks for the information.

 

[BriarRose59]

2GirlsMama:

We bought the black netbook and then I ordered a nice skin for it from istyles.com. There are some cute Disney skins on skinit.com. Since several of us are using it, I opted for a generic skin instead of a Disney one. I am going to get a case small enough to carry in my backpack, but with a compartment for the power cord.

Prom is tonight and the kids left my house looking so gorgeous and happy! I hope they have a good time.

 

[LisaTex]

Prom time - how fun!!

You guys are all so organized! I know we are on a later trip than most of you, but I feel the need to start planning better after reading this thread! We did get a little disney fix this weekend on the Wonder SO now it is China time all the way!! The packing situation is really, really freaking me out. I'm the girl who took 2 x 50lbs. for a 4-dy cruise!! My TA called ABD and said you could pay more for heavier luggage, but NO WAY more pieces - I am determined to do that 44 lbs!!!!!!

Oh well, just checking back in with you guys. Have a great weekend!!

 

[Siliobear]

Curious to hear what people did about money in China. How much should I convert before I leave? Was most *bargain* shopping cash only? Are ATMs readily available? On our last trip to Hong Kong, fortunately there were Citibank ATMs nearby (which is our bank). This time, we even opened an account with HSBC so we can take advantage of their ATMs thruout Asia.

 

[pandafan]

We did very few credit and no ATM transactions in China. All bargaining/haggling is cash only. We exchanged at the Beijing airport when we arrived. There is an exchange right near the baggage claim. We also exchanged at all the hotels. From our trip, the ATM at the Disney hotel in HK ran out of money and the desk was not able to do a cash advance.

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Ditto!! We used only cash for the taxis rides, bargain shopping, and small food items. There was never a problem finding a good ATM thoughout our trip. In Hong Kong, we had no problems finding ATMs there as well. Using cash gave us better bargaining leverage.

 

[BriarRose59]

Good morning!

I didn't know if any of you had heard yet, but I got a call from ABD that a Terracotta Soldiers visit has been added to the itinerary. One of the airlines that we travel on within China has changed their scheduling so that there is an 8 hour layover between cities. Disney has contracted buses to take us out for a 2 hour visit with the Terracotta Soldiers. I am so excited! That means everything that I wanted to see is now on our trip!

 

[figmentfan2009]

Oh I so hope we have the same change. DS is a huge history buff and he would think he was in heaven over this!

What do we have to give up for this change? An 8 hour additional layover has to mean something else has to give.

 

[sayhello]

Good morning!

I didn't know if any of you had heard yet, but I got a call from ABD that a Terracotta Soldiers visit has been added to the itinerary. One of the airlines that we travel on within China has changed their scheduling so that there is an 8 hour layover between cities. Disney has contracted buses to take us out for a 2 hour visit with the Terracotta Soldiers. I am so excited! That means everything that I wanted to see is now on our trip!

Oh, man, I hope they add that to the itinerary permanently! One of the reasons I hesitated to sign up for this tour is because when I *DO* go to China, I *definitely* want to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers!

Congrats! I have heard they are magnificent. I'm sure you will enjoy it tremendously!

Sayhello

 

[figmentfan2009]

"right now" it is only two june adventures that are going to terracotta soldiers... it is a trial to see if they can add it in successfully and based on the trial, further updates may occur

so it is a possible maybe for the rest of the trips, I guess...

 

[2GirlsMama]

I called the travel agent and she said that our trip will not include the terracotta warriors at least right now. We are going on the June 28 trip. She said things could change, but right now it is only the June 7 & 14 tours that are going to visit the warriors.

Oh, well...I am still absolutely thrilled with our trip.

 

[Siliobear]

I too am on the 6/28 trip. Maybe if we call ABD, they can add it? I agree with others...the terra cotta soldiers was the only thing missing from this trip! WE WANNA SEE THE SOLDIERS!

 

[WeLoveABD]

We went on the China trip last June--a great great trip. We tried to figure out how to work in a trip to the T-warriors, but couldn't get it done (the biggest hurdle was the thought of catching flights/ground transportation on our own, luggage and kids in tow). Having Disney do this is just perfect! (I echo the other comments: what was taken out to fit this in?)

 

[BriarRose59]

Sorry I haven't gotten back with you all regarding the T/C soldiers. Having a senior in high school who is active in band takes a lot of time! This is prime concert competition season and we have been to 3 contests in the past 10 days, not to mention prom and band banquet.

I received the call from ABD while I was on a Lake Tahoe cruise late in April. Aren't cell phones great! I was so excited that I didn't think to ask what we were giving up to make this addition. All I was told was that due to a change in flights made by the Chinese airlines, we would now have an 8 hour layover in whatever city it is that is within driving distance to the soldiers. (She said the city name but I didn't write it down.) Disney has chartered buses and will take us from the airport to the dig site where we will spend 2 hours. We then drive back and fly on to our destination. There is no additional charge for this change in the tour.

I hope I haven't caused trouble for anyone, I thought this was a permanent change or I wouldn't have posted it. Hopefully, it will work out well for our tour and it will be added permanently.

 

[figmentfan2009]

Don't sweat the small stuff... I have 2 in orchestra (one of whom is VERY active in ROTC... I can relate)

The lady from disney (I love her to pieces... Think her name is Sue... she is the China specialist) said these two are trail runs... that they are trying to see if they can fit it in and make everything work wonderfully.

Based on what they find out, they will make determination on whether to change others or not. Once they decide, they will let everyone know who will be affected.

 

[Siliobear]

To change the subject, any packing tips from past travelers to China or from others going this year? So far, I've been advised to bring bug spray, anti-itch cream (lots of bugs during the summer and I am prone to bites), tummy pills in case the food doesn't agree with our body, and I'm shopping for dry wick clothing as I'm not used to humidity since I live in Los Angeles. What are others bringing?