Atlantic-HK doesn't extradite snowden due to lack of evidence.
So USA asks for Snowden from Hong Kong with a threat of deteriorating relations. Snowden on the other hand let HK find out that America has been hacking into HK and has been snooping on citizens of the world including HK and America still doesn't notice of "deteriorating relations" and that the threat is actually on the other side.
This USA Government arrogance based on double speak was first shown in the terrible language in the first Wiki Leak and now seen again here and so of course US is seeing even less cooperation from other states than it did during the Bush administration. Looks like President Obama failed in his promise not because he didn't try, but because he and his administration was incensere.
The ducks are piling up even with liberals:
Guantanamo Bay,
Ice deportations,
Legalized marriage,
End to war on drugs,
Continued war on the poor,
Poor foreign policy,
And a worsening quagmire in Middle East...
I'm sad to say... are we really better off than we were four years ago?
Even our best hope has let us down, democracy is hard but so is being a snooping tyrant and asking for your squeak from those you snoop on.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Mexico to Costa Rica
Fly: $200 one-way flight.
You will be asked at the airport counter for itinerary out Costa Rica. A bus ticket would suffice.
Without itinerary you will not be allowed on the plane.
Immigration in San Jose does not check for itinerary and the airport workers do not check the bus or flight itinerary if they are not real itineraries.
You will be asked at the airport counter for itinerary out Costa Rica. A bus ticket would suffice.
Without itinerary you will not be allowed on the plane.
Immigration in San Jose does not check for itinerary and the airport workers do not check the bus or flight itinerary if they are not real itineraries.
Ukraine to Belarus
Border Logistics
Visa can be done in one day for about $300 or in a matter of days for about half.
Necessary to have contact person's information in Belarus.
Consulate is open even on Ukrainian State holidays but with limited hours.
Tip: There is no passport check between Russia and Belarus and getting visa for Belarus is much simpler than going to Russia. However, should you be found to not have a Russian visa, it is possible you may be forced to stay until you procure a Russian visa. Tourists are often asked for their papers without any probably cause, I was.
Train
$20-50 Can buy ticket at the Kiev train station.
Visa can be done in one day for about $300 or in a matter of days for about half.
Necessary to have contact person's information in Belarus.
Consulate is open even on Ukrainian State holidays but with limited hours.
Tip: There is no passport check between Russia and Belarus and getting visa for Belarus is much simpler than going to Russia. However, should you be found to not have a Russian visa, it is possible you may be forced to stay until you procure a Russian visa. Tourists are often asked for their papers without any probably cause, I was.
Train
$20-50 Can buy ticket at the Kiev train station.
Costa Rica (San Jose) to Panama
Border Logistics
Panamanian side might ask for itinerary, don't need real one, any fake will do from any other country. No need to buy return ticket. No visa or money necessary for Americans.
Tika Bus:
$80
Buy tickets in advance as they often fill up.
Local Bus to Border.
$15 Take bus to Sixaola at six am from Coca Cola station.
Walk five minutes to border.
Border to Bocas:
Two yellow bus transfers takes you to boat docs for $2 in about two hours.
$10 cabs take you to boat docs in 30-45 minutes.
$5-15 twenty minute boat to Bocas del Torro
To Panama:
Fly: From Bocas del Torro Airport for about $100. Several flights every day.
Local Bus: 12 hours from the border town. $20
Panamanian side might ask for itinerary, don't need real one, any fake will do from any other country. No need to buy return ticket. No visa or money necessary for Americans.
Tika Bus:
$80
Buy tickets in advance as they often fill up.
Local Bus to Border.
$15 Take bus to Sixaola at six am from Coca Cola station.
Walk five minutes to border.
Border to Bocas:
Two yellow bus transfers takes you to boat docs for $2 in about two hours.
$10 cabs take you to boat docs in 30-45 minutes.
$5-15 twenty minute boat to Bocas del Torro
To Panama:
Fly: From Bocas del Torro Airport for about $100. Several flights every day.
Local Bus: 12 hours from the border town. $20
Panama to Colombia
Logistics at Border:
Panama:
Need three photocopies of passport to enter and two to enter.
Office opens at eight, photocopy office opens at nine.
Office closes at four.
Colombia:
Office opens briefly once a day to stamp passports.
Ask Joe near the dock for details.
Fly
From Panama to Bogota for about $250
From Panama to border, 45 minute Launcha to Capurgana and Fly to Bogota. $150
Tip: This is the best, cheapest and safest option. Hostels don't tell of the second option as it is cheap but without kickbacks. Make sure to buy tickets in advance as flights fil up quickly.
Launcha:
Cost: $150
Logistics:
Jeep to East coast.
8 hour Launcha to border.
45 min Launcha to Capurgana.
Warning: Launchas are small and go into open sea. Capsizing and breakdowns are frequent.
Options from Capurgana:
Flight to Medellin (twice a week) $90
2 hour Launcha to Turbo $20
Warning: During low season, hostels may tell you that immigration is closed and won't re-open for a few days in order to get you to stay longer. Don't believe them, talk to immigration, they will open usually between 12 and 2pm depending on when the Turbo Launcha comes in.
Options from Turbo
Bus to Medellin or Cartagena $35
Tip: Kids will try to help you for a fee to get to the bus. They can waive down a bus and it is cheaper than to buy at ticket counter. Bus driver gives them a cut so don't give money to kids. Negotiate fee with bus driver not the kids.
Sail:
$350 by "speed boat" or $500 by sail.
Warning: Often a rip-off, leaving tourists stranded without refund. Especially on the way north. Sail boats are often loaded with drugs.
Tip: Don't trust hostels, go to the docks and find the boat there and ask the captain for references.
Hitchhiking through San Blas
Can take as little as a few days and as much as a month depending on boat traffic.
Most villages cost $10-$20 per night for stay.
Warning: Must have own water. Water on islands is very expensive.
Can cost as much or double as a flight or launcha.
Panama:
Need three photocopies of passport to enter and two to enter.
Office opens at eight, photocopy office opens at nine.
Office closes at four.
Colombia:
Office opens briefly once a day to stamp passports.
Ask Joe near the dock for details.
Fly
From Panama to Bogota for about $250
From Panama to border, 45 minute Launcha to Capurgana and Fly to Bogota. $150
Tip: This is the best, cheapest and safest option. Hostels don't tell of the second option as it is cheap but without kickbacks. Make sure to buy tickets in advance as flights fil up quickly.
Launcha:
Cost: $150
Logistics:
Jeep to East coast.
8 hour Launcha to border.
45 min Launcha to Capurgana.
Warning: Launchas are small and go into open sea. Capsizing and breakdowns are frequent.
Options from Capurgana:
Flight to Medellin (twice a week) $90
2 hour Launcha to Turbo $20
Warning: During low season, hostels may tell you that immigration is closed and won't re-open for a few days in order to get you to stay longer. Don't believe them, talk to immigration, they will open usually between 12 and 2pm depending on when the Turbo Launcha comes in.
Options from Turbo
Bus to Medellin or Cartagena $35
Tip: Kids will try to help you for a fee to get to the bus. They can waive down a bus and it is cheaper than to buy at ticket counter. Bus driver gives them a cut so don't give money to kids. Negotiate fee with bus driver not the kids.
Sail:
$350 by "speed boat" or $500 by sail.
Warning: Often a rip-off, leaving tourists stranded without refund. Especially on the way north. Sail boats are often loaded with drugs.
Tip: Don't trust hostels, go to the docks and find the boat there and ask the captain for references.
Hitchhiking through San Blas
Can take as little as a few days and as much as a month depending on boat traffic.
Most villages cost $10-$20 per night for stay.
Warning: Must have own water. Water on islands is very expensive.
Can cost as much or double as a flight or launcha.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)