Always happy to hear when a tip is news for someone. Thanks!

Thanks! Glad you found them helpful. More coming soon. J

Well, that’s a new one for me. Never heard of someone planning a long layover just to go geocaching! LOL That’s pretty cool.

For contacting an 800 number, just go into Skype and select call phone. Choose the US as the country, enter the number, and call and voila! It is VERY handy!

Thanks for the other comments. Going to check out Ultrasurf, too. That’s a new one for me. Glad you found the links so helpful!

Couple few comments/tips of my own:

Note that Vietnam (where I presently live/teach EFL) blocks only Facebook (though even that you can bypass the ban w/ a free proxy – I use “Ultrasurf”.  For some strange reason, twitter, et al remain open.

Yes, yes, a Schwab account.  It’s likewise saved be a goodly bundle of ATM fees as well.

And yup, seat61 – THE definitive guide for all train travel (presently I’m investigating the options for the Trans-Siberian to Mongolia.)  Also has good info for bus/ferry options ’round the world.

Emergency numbers all in one place?  Genius.  (well duh!) I’ve been here in Vietnam more than 6 months, and thanks to you, just now jotted down the numbers for VN.  Likewise (191) for Cambodia where I’m headed next week.  Ya never know…, yes?

Skype my bank you say?  Brilliant!  I never thought of that.  So I can just use their 800 number and connect via Skype?

Long layover you say?  Well yes, middle of the night is a pain, but I often DELIBERATELY book a 12 hr. day layover somewhere – to go GEOCACHING!  Indeed, there’s a worldwide community of geocachers (see geocaching.com), and I’ve hooked up with geocachers in both Taipei and Amsterdam, who were kind enough to meet me upon arrival and show me the sights (not to mention grab the best local caches along the way), before pouring me on my onward flight.

Thanks ever so much, for a most fruitful morning of very handy travel tips!