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Photo Of The Day: Seeing Mona Lisa {Gadling}
Apr 12th 2013 9:33PM Notice also the Beware of Pickpockets warnings on either side of the Mona Lisa. I took a similar photo too, and posted it along with my commentary (as a professional thiefhunter) on the Louvre pickpockets here: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2013/04/louvre-pickpockets/
The Best US Airports To Kill Time In {Gadling}
Feb 4th 2013 6:30PM Atlanta's airport has a frightening reputation for luggage theft from its carousels. A recent victim investigated and dug up video evidence with police help. http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2012/09/atlanta-airport-luggage-theft-at-baggage-claim/
Atlanta airport may be fine to travel THROUGH, but ending your journey there puts your bags at serious risk.
In Bali With Baggage: Childhood {Gadling}
Oct 30th 2012 8:42PM I've just come back from Bali. Even a curmudgeon will love Bali's Monkey Forest, where the curious macaques run wild at your feet. Just don't let them pickpocket you, as they did to us! See the video here: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2012/10/bob-arno-pickpocketed-in-bali-video/
What You Need To Know About Oktoberfest 2012 {Gadling}
Sep 20th 2012 10:47AM It's all about big breasts, big beers, and Bavarian barf, as illustrated here: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2009/10/oktoberfest/ There's also roast duck, fish-on-sticks, public peeing, and pickpocketing.
7 Tips For Touring Europe By Train {Gadling}
Aug 14th 2012 7:13AM The entire train environment is pickpocket paradise, so be especially on guard from the moment you enter the train station, throughout your journey, and until you're out of the destination station. (Even then, don't relax too much.) The thieves are devious and not only do they wait for you to take your eyes off your belongings, but they trick you into doing so. Cell phones are stolen right from under your nose, hand bags are picked and snatched, and as Libby says, luggage is lifted. "Shoulder surfers" watch ticket-buyers at station machines and pickpockets loiter on platforms.
Really, I'm not trying to scare travelers—just to raise your antennas and urge vigilance. Read more at Thiefhunters in Paradise here: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/pickpockets-con-artists-scammers-travel/
A Traveler In The Foreign Service: How To Avoid Posts Where You Might Get Eaten Alive {Gadling}
Aug 11th 2012 5:38AM Forget about ritual cannibalism, which is rare if at all. Just look at the crime and gang activity in Port Moresby! And read up on "the Raskols" here: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2009/11/port-moresby-crime/
10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain {Gadling}
Feb 6th 2012 4:21PM Given the outrageous number of thefts, pickpocketings, and bag snatches in Barcelona, every article encouraging a visit to this wonderful city should include warnings about the rate of thievery there. I adore Barcelona, but "6,000 thefts per day on Barcelona visitors" must be taken seriously. The thieves' methods are many and devious. Go, but stash your stuff safely, and be hyper-aware! Read more here: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2009/11/barcelona-pickpocket-problem/
Snorkeling in the Galapagos {Gadling}
Aug 12th 2011 5:14PM Sea lions poop, too. We thought our 16-year-old was seasick after snorkeling and back on our small yacht. When she didn't get better, we thought it might be a flu. Turns out it was e. coli poisoning, from swimming with the sea lions! Story and photos: http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2008/03/guilty-as-charged/
Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab - the world's most glamorous hotel {Gadling}
Jun 21st 2011 2:03PM Burj al Arab (Tower of the Arabs) was to be Dubai's icon, and a sketch of the structure was put on car license plates before the building was even finished. On a visit to Dubai, our host told us that the building’s British architect phoned from the air as he left the country after completing it, to say that he’d just planted the largest crucifix in the Arab world. When viewed from the sea, the hotel’s top-floor cantilevered restaurant forms the crosspiece. Fury erupted, and the building’s icon was removed from car license plate designs.
—Thiefhunter in Paradise
5 things to do in Barcelona, Spain: from Sagrada Familia to Barceloneta Beach {Gadling}
Feb 22nd 2011 3:20PM Crime levels in Barcelona are high, but La Rambla is not particularly dangerous at night—in fact, it's packed with crowds at night and loads of fun. Most muggings take place in the streets OFF La Rambla, but muggings and other thefts take place on and off the main drag. Best advice is to stow your stuff safely, carry little, and keep your wits about you. Then get out there and stroll La Rambla at night. Much more here:
http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2009/11/barcelona-pickpocket-problem/
