So, there I was in Bangkok with no working credit
card and no cash.
goodness I had a friend and a
husband on the trip to ‘lend’ me
some money.
About two weeks later my bank
account was indeed credited.
Regarding my credit card,
when I returned home, I had
a telephone message from the
credit card company. They let me
know that my card number was
cancelled because it was being
used in Arizona at the same
time that I was trying to use it
in Vietnam. Clearly, my card
had been compromised in Hong
Kong or Vietnam. After some
research we learned that Hong
Kong is a hot spot for credit card
numbers being stolen during
transactions and immediately
sold over the internet.
Usually in our travels most
things go well. This was the first
time that I had so many things
go wrong on one trip:
• a temporarily lost tourist visa
preventing me from leaving
the country
• a stolen credit card number
• a malfunctioning ATM so an
amount debited from my bank
account but no cash and not
being able to get more out for
another twenty-four hours
What have I learned from
this experience?
• Travel with a backup
credit card.
• When clearing out the room
safe, use a flashlight to ensure
all items are removed.
Oh, the things we learn when
we travel! ●
Céleste Plamondon-Zurbrigg
is an avid traveller and keeps
travel diaries on all her
adventures. Céleste obviously
enjoys travel, despite the
occasional ‘learning experience.’
EMBR ACE YOUR
INDEPENDENCE
...for the experience
JOURNEY WITH JUST YOU IN THE COMPANY OF OTHER SOLO TRAVELLERS
We’ve made traveling alone easier and more affordable than ever. Now you can enjoy your vacation
on your terms – without the added expense of single supplements. Sample the lifestyle, traditions
and cuisine of Europe with a group of fellow solo travellers and enjoy a stress-free experience.
Call 1-844-408-1770 or visit MeritTravel.com/ARTA
52 | arta.net