BLOG

One of the great advantages of sitting in Figueres, in the north eastern chunk of Spain near France is that you get to see things like the trucker's strike live and first hand when you make day trips up to France. This strike is a big deal. The truckers are essentially choking off all supplies in to Spain as well as not moving any goods, and more importantly, fuel, through the rest of Spain. But, don't take my word for it, let's dip in to some BBC-esque language from Nigel Nigglebits, which you can hear a recording of below.       Farce aside, it goes to show that it only takes two days before all hell breaks loose in a 21st century society. The lines at gas stations are massive as everyone fears that gas supplies will run out. Minor goods are indeed starting to run out at smaller shops and while the tourism season is just starting in Spain, if there's a lack of gas for people visiting, you can be sure that cheap French, Brits, Dutch, and Germans won't be making the trip to Spain this year for inexpensive alcohol and beaches, which as great as that may sound, will take an enormous toll on a country that is already starting to have economic problems from a housing slowdown like we've seen in the US.       But, it's interesting to see the mentality that prevails here in Europe. As this same problem has been hitting the US in the airlines, where they just pass on the fuel cost increases and then some to the consumer, the truckers aren't doing that. They are trying to maintain their prices without killing the consumers. Yes, the strike is not good for the society at large, but the strike is looking more longterm and seeing that there needs to be some form of regulation or inflationary problems will persist. It's dreamy to have this kind of thinking and it's dreamy to see that people are forcing the government to take action as opposed to how we in the US always feel we have to take things on ourselves because the government won't. Someday we might remember that those in office are actually there to serve us.       This will supposedly be resolved this week, but in the meantime, it's going to be a lot of staying home and not going anywhere too far, since with 40% (and climbing) of the gas stations running out of gas, extra travel is not advisable. Oh, and for those who are complaining about gas nearing $5 a gallon in the US, it's nearing $10 a gallon in Europe.

Our ridiculous Fodor's guide seriously downplayed the buses in Hawaii. Repeatedly it stated that you really needed a car to get around. Sure, cars make life a lot easier in Hawaii, but driving everywhere sucks. It wasn't until we got to Oahu and took the bus that I really felt like I was on a vacation how I like to vacation. I mean, driving is fun and all, but losing the responsibility, cost, and worry of the car is fantastic, which is one of the reasons I like Europe so much: no car needed. Then of course there is the environmental factor as well. When 30 people are on a bus, you're simply not polluting as much as if you were 30 cars. So, for folks who are more eco-minded out there, I present a bit about the buses in Hawaii, since it appears no guidebook wants to go there. I just hope that more people will use them and the system will develop more.              OAHU       Probably the most developed and extensive of all of them and there is a Ferry system that ties in to it as well. At $2 a ride, it's not the cheapest bus out there, but you can do things like get from the airport to Waikiki without using a $15 a person shuttle. Officially, you're not supposed to bring large luggage on the bus, but we did and it worked out. We were the only ones doing it unfortunately which goes to show that too many idiots overspend while on holiday and get sucked in to using a taxi from the vultures who constantly ask you if you want a ride.              MAUI       Not as extensive as Oahu and it serves mostly the west and central parts of the island. So, you're not going to get up to the Haleakala Crater or to Hana on it, which is a shame since those roads get very congested. For a quick view of where it goes, check out the system map              KAUAI       We saw a good deal of this bus and it appeared to have a pretty regular schedule that ran the whole gamut of the civilized part of the island. The Waimea Canyon can't be reached with it, but most everything else worthwhile can and it's only a $1.50 to go anywhere on the route, which is a really long route from one end to the other. The Kalalau Trail is stopped just short of as the end of the line is in Hanalei, but the adventurous can walk the distance and we saw folks doing this. But what I'd really recommend is to rent a bicycle while there and use the bus. They have a space for bikes on the front of the bus and everything short of Waimea can be reached from any of the stops.              HAWAII BIG ISLAND       They have one of the worst websites I've ever seen for a bus route, but it is apparently free. We didn't make it to the Big Island on this trip, so I can't speak as to any firsthand knowledge. Also, the site doesn't appear to have a system map, which is a bummer as it appears they have a good many routes and service seems good. It's something to look in to more if interested and hopefully anyone with more advice might leave a comment? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink...