Wish me luck...
Discussion
Be careful...
I'd suggest only using cash. Mate got his credit card cloned (or whatever the right description is) at a bar when we were there, had transactions totalling £2k run up on the card in the space of 30 seconds, then soon after we got into a pretty ugly confrontation with a couple of heavies who wanted our passports (presumably to 'legitimise' the transactions - not that we had the first clue what was going on at the time). Scary stuff.
On the plus side, had the best steak I've ever eaten while over there though...
Good luck!
I'd suggest only using cash. Mate got his credit card cloned (or whatever the right description is) at a bar when we were there, had transactions totalling £2k run up on the card in the space of 30 seconds, then soon after we got into a pretty ugly confrontation with a couple of heavies who wanted our passports (presumably to 'legitimise' the transactions - not that we had the first clue what was going on at the time). Scary stuff.
On the plus side, had the best steak I've ever eaten while over there though...
Good luck!
Yiliterate said:
Be careful...
I'd suggest only using cash. Mate got his credit card cloned (or whatever the right description is) at a bar when we were there, had transactions totalling £2k run up on the card in the space of 30 seconds, then soon after we got into a pretty ugly confrontation with a couple of heavies who wanted our passports (presumably to 'legitimise' the transactions - not that we had the first clue what was going on at the time). Scary stuff.
On the plus side, had the best steak I've ever eaten while over there though...
Good luck!
^ What he says - never been but know too many people who have. Maybe speak to your credit card people in advance and get them to enable full fraud protection - i.e call you whenever a tranaction takes place. Ok to pay hotel bill, but if anything else happens, no transactions appear - common place with business travel.I'd suggest only using cash. Mate got his credit card cloned (or whatever the right description is) at a bar when we were there, had transactions totalling £2k run up on the card in the space of 30 seconds, then soon after we got into a pretty ugly confrontation with a couple of heavies who wanted our passports (presumably to 'legitimise' the transactions - not that we had the first clue what was going on at the time). Scary stuff.
On the plus side, had the best steak I've ever eaten while over there though...
Good luck!
Also, take cash and some US dollars too - useful for final bribes etc, though I understand Euros are just as helpful these days. Oh, and dont go into any "champagne" bars fronting as stripper, hooker or pole dancing joints. The champagne will be $100 or more a bottle and then they "forget" to bring it, so you order two etc... you get the picture. Common ruse in Russia and ex-Russian states. Stick to the normal places, double check and make sure there are people around (druggies dont count).
It should be a hoot though. Been to Estonia a few times and its a nice place. Never been to Latvia, but understand its just as nice, but some habits die hard so be careful.
A little-known fact about the Baltics is that rates of heroin addiction - and consequent HIV infection - are high.
A family friend who is a doctor there tells me that registered heroin addicts comprise nearly 1% of the entire population, compared with 0.1% in the UK.
Double-bag, or avoid altogether.
A family friend who is a doctor there tells me that registered heroin addicts comprise nearly 1% of the entire population, compared with 0.1% in the UK.
Double-bag, or avoid altogether.
Hello!
Yup, I have made it back safe and sound!
Had an ace time, only encountered one bit of dodgyness but that was my own fault for loosing everybody.
There are some big nasty people over there.
We had a free walking tour and the tour guide stayed with us for the full long weekend, totally free and she was even joining in the rounds!
She really did look after us and kept us out of any bother.
I liked the sky bar, possibly the coolest bar I have ever been in. The views over the city were spectacular
I would recommend it but probably wont go back.
Yup, I have made it back safe and sound!
Had an ace time, only encountered one bit of dodgyness but that was my own fault for loosing everybody.
There are some big nasty people over there.
We had a free walking tour and the tour guide stayed with us for the full long weekend, totally free and she was even joining in the rounds!
She really did look after us and kept us out of any bother.
I liked the sky bar, possibly the coolest bar I have ever been in. The views over the city were spectacular
I would recommend it but probably wont go back.
To be honest, I can't remember any of the music being played in any bar all weekend!
Just about feeling better now and the shakes have stopped!
I'm not allowed another drink till Friday and then I'm being stupid apparently!
Being easily led though, I will prob have a swift beer or 2 before the missus finishes work!
Just about feeling better now and the shakes have stopped!
I'm not allowed another drink till Friday and then I'm being stupid apparently!
Being easily led though, I will prob have a swift beer or 2 before the missus finishes work!
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